Download patient information leaflet about aortic valve stenosis

CARDIOLOGY
DEPARTMENT
0151 430 1905
AORTIC VALVE
STENOSIS
(Narrowing of
the heart valve)
Patient information leaflet
Creation Date – February 2011
Review Date – February 2014
Produced by Cardiology Department
Whiston Hospital
Warrington Road
Prescot L35 5DR
The Aortic Valve is one of four valves which are found within
the heart. Their function is to make sure that blood flows in
one direction through the heart. The aortic valve sits
between the main left heart chamber called the left ventricle
(pictured on the right), and the main artery in the chest called
the aorta, which distributes the blood to your whole body.
SPACE FOR YOUR NOTES
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Aortic Stenosis may result from different causes:
Aortic Stenosis
1. Being born with abnormal valve leaflets which are fused
Under some circumstances the aortic valve becomes narrower
than normal, restricting the flow of blood. This is known as
Aortic Valve Stenosis.
together restricting their movement.
This is called
Congenital Aortic Valve Stenosis. This appears early in
life as a child.
2. The valve leaflet may be deformed by rheumatic fever
In people with Aortic Stenosis the left ventricle has to work
harder to overcome the restriction. The more severe the
Aortic Stenosis, the harder the heart has to work. This results
in thickening of the heart muscle.
which is more likely to occur in late childhood and early
Aortic Stenosis is a relatively common problem.
adult life causing the narrowing many years later. This is
Approximate percentage of people who have the
disease:
a relatively rare condition.
3. Aging of the Aortic Valve (age induced “wear and tear”).
As people age, the valve leaflets become thick with reduced
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2% of people over the age of 65
3% of people over the age of 75
4% of people over the age of 85
ability to move resulting in valve narrowing. Typically, this
process occurs in 30-50 year old people with a Bicuspid
Valve.
It tends to occur later in life with people with a
The Natural
Stenosis
Progression
of
Aortic
Valve
normal Tricuspid valve, typically in 60-80 year old people.
The process of “wear and tear” is a slow one and occurs over
many years before it is discovered by the presence of a heart
murmur or by abnormal findings during a heart trace or heart
scan. The process of Aortic Valve narrowing develops slowly
over many years. Therefore there is enough time for the heart
muscle to cope with the disease and the patient may not have
any symptoms until the disease is severe.
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Symptoms of Aortic Valve Stenosis
What treatment is available?
The main three symptoms are:
Usually no treatment is required whilst you have no symptoms
and the heart muscle function is normal. You need to have
regular check-ups by your heart specialist to monitor your case
progression and the development of symptoms.
Your
specialist may arrange regular heart scans to monitor your
progress.
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Chest discomfort (angina) first,
Then dizziness,
Then shortness of breath during exercise
Once symptoms occur, valve narrowing is usually severe and
the disease often progresses more quickly.
The average life expectancy is:
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2 years after the start of being short of breath
3 years after developing dizziness
5 years after developing angina
How to confirm the diagnosis
Your doctor may become suspicious about the presence of
Aortic Valve Stenosis if a heart murmur is heard.
To confirm the diagnosis, you need to have:
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A heart trace
Chest x-ray
A heart scan (echocardiogram)
Once you develop symptoms your specialist may suggest
referring you to a heart surgeon to replace the valve as tablets
are not helpful in this condition.
Cardiac Catheterisation “Coronary Angiogram”
This is a special diagnostic test required before referring you
for surgery. X-ray pictures are taken of the heart arteries and
chambers. The information obtained from this test is very
important to the heart surgeon to plan your heart surgery.
Further information about this test is available from the special
leaflet about coronary angiography.
Causes of Aortic Stenosis
The normal Aortic valve consists of three leaflets sitting in a
round circle with complete free range of movement. This is
called the normal Tricuspid Aortic Valve.
The heart scan is invaluable in making the diagnosis,
confirming its severity and how good your heart muscle is
coping.
One to two percent of people are born with only two leaflets:
this is called a Bicuspid Aortic Valve.
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