The disease of the aortic valve is doing its damage slowly

SATURDAY, April 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) – Aortic valve stenosis is a form of heart valve disease that can take many years to become a life-threatening problem, an expert said.

This occurs when the narrowing of the opening of the aortic valve prevents blood from the left ventricle of the heart from flowing into the aorta. This can also affect the pressure in the left atrium, said Dr. Mark Kozak, a cardiologist at Penn State Health.

"Not everyone will be at the same pace, but the valve is getting worse," he said in a health system press release. "The only thing to do is to report the symptoms and stay in touch with a cardiologist."

Shortness of breath, chest pain and death are the main indications of the disease, but they may not start right away.

"These three symptoms should not be taken lightly," said Kozak. "People may be well over a long period of time, but once symptoms appear, the symptoms tend to be quite fast, most people die within a few years if they are not treated or monitored."

The condition is more common in people 60 years and older.

"Because our population is aging, there is a mini-epidemic of stenosis in our generation over 80," said Kozak.

Valve replacement is the only effective method for treating severe stenosis of the aortic valve. In recent years, physicians have used a less invasive valve replacement procedure using a catheter-based technique called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

With this type of procedure, most patients return home the next day and recovery takes about 72 hours, according to Kozak.

He added that people suffering from stenosis of the aortic valve should exercise, as this keeps them in a position to undergo the surgical procedures and procedures that they might need, and also helps their doctor to monitor the condition. Evolution of their symptoms.

"People were afraid of exercising when they were diagnosed with aortic stenosis, but it is important that you be active and that the symptoms become noticeable," Kozak explained.

"It's better for people to exercise and stay healthy than to restrict their physical appearance," he said. "As I watch their progress, if I think that a valve has reached a worrying point, it's time to replace it."

More information

The American Heart Association has more on the stenosis of the aortic valve.