Aortic Valve Stenosis: Ongoing Concerns

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Ongoing Concerns

Aortic valve stenosis can be an easy condition to miss. In its mild form, you may not even realize that you have it, because it has not yet begun to cause symptoms. The condition may not be found unless you have tests for another possible heart condition.

If you do not yet have symptoms, you may go a long time without having them. This phase can last for 10 years or more. During this phase, you may have an echocardiogram every 6 months to every few years to check the condition of your valve.

If you have an artificial valve, you may need to take antibiotics before you have certain dental or surgical procedures. The antibiotics help prevent an infection in your heart called endocarditis.

If you have aortic valve stenosis, you are at risk of getting iron deficiency anemia due to a condition called angiodysplasia. With angiodysplasia, you have gastrointestinal bleeding and symptoms of anemia. Be aware that the symptoms of anemia are similar to some of the symptoms of aortic valve stenosis.

If you have aortic valve stenosis, you cannot prevent it from getting worse or causing symptoms, including chest pain (angina), fainting, and shortness of breath.

After symptoms of stenosis develop, you must decide with your doctor whether to have valve replacement surgery. This surgery is the only effective treatment. Without it, heart failure will likely develop and shorten your life.⁶ View a slideshow on aortic valve replacement surgery .

Most people who have symptoms of severe aortic valve stenosis die within 2 to 5 years if they do not have valve replacement surgery.² With surgery, you may reach a normal life expectancy. For more information about valve replacement surgery, see:

Should I have surgery to replace my aortic valve?

Complications

As aortic valve stenosis progresses, it often causes complications that can have a serious impact on your overall health. Heart failure is the most common and potentially the most life-threatening complication. Other complications include chest pain, fainting, irregular heartbeat, and heart infection. In rare cases, aortic valve stenosis can cause sudden death before you have symptoms. Sudden death is more common in people who have bicuspid aortic valves .

Last updated:	November 14, 2007
Author:	Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, George Philippides, MD - Cardiology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC