Aortic stenosis

Need to know

• What are the symptoms of aortic stenosis? icon plus

  Patients with aortic stenosis can experience mild to severe symptoms, and may not occur for many years despite you having the condition without realising.
  Symptoms of aortic stenosis include:

  • Chest pain
  • Extreme fatigue, especially from exertion
  • Faintness or dizziness, particularly when being active
  • Heart murmur
  • Heart palpitations
  • Shortness of breath

  For children, not eating enough or gaining enough weight can be a sign of aortic stenosis

   

• How is aortic stenosis diagnosed? icon plus

  An early diagnosis of aortic stenosis is key to successful treatment. If you have been displaying symptoms associated with the condition, your consultant may firstly carry out a physical examination. This will likely including using a stethoscope to detect whether or not you have a heart murmur.

  Other diagnostic tests they may carry out include:

  • Cardiac catheterisation 
  • Cardiac MRI
  • Chest X-ray
  • Echocardiogram
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • Exercise tests or stress tests

• Treating aortic stenosis icon plus

  As with many cardiac conditions, treatment options for aortic stenosis very much depend on the severity of the condition. 

  If your symptoms remain mild and no great risk to your immediate health, your consultant may recommend healthy lifestyle changes relating to diet and exercise. They may also provide you with medication to minimise risk of further complications.

  If surgery is required, treatment options include: 

  • Aortic valve repair 
  • TAVI (aortic valve replacement) 
  • Balloon valvuloplasty