Aortic Valve Regurgitation: Symptoms

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Symptoms

Many young people with aortic valve regurgitation do not have symptoms. When symptoms finally appear, they often indicate that the heart is significantly affected. Whether these symptoms come on gradually (as in chronic regurgitation) or more suddenly (as in acute regurgitation), they may be confused with symptoms of heart failure. See an illustration of aortic valve regurgitation .

If only a small amount of blood is leaking back through the aortic valve, you may not have symptoms, and heart function may not be affected. As the amount of leakage increases, symptoms usually appear, and the function of the heart may be affected. Symptoms found in more severe aortic valve regurgitation include:

• Shortness of breath, especially with activity.
• Fatigue and weakness.
• Fainting (syncope).
• Trouble breathing at night.
• Swelling in the legs and sometimes the rest of the body (edema).
• Awareness of the heartbeat (palpitations), especially when lying on the left side.
• Pulsations in the neck.
• Dizziness and lightheadedness.
• Abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias).
• Chest pain (angina), often brought on by exertion (sometimes a sign of severe aortic valve regurgitation).

If acute aortic valve regurgitation develops (for example, from an infection in the heart [endocarditis]), the only symptoms may be severe shortness of breath, a rapid heart rate, and lightheadedness.

Last updated:	January 24, 2008
Author:	Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC