Aortic stenosis

Aortic stenosis happens when the aortic valve narrows and can't fully open, making it harder for your heart to pump blood to the rest of your body. Aortic stenosis symptoms often start subtly but can worsen over time, especially with severe aortic stenosis. With the right diagnosis and aortic stenosis treatment, including options like aortic valve replacement, most people can manage this condition and protect their heart health.

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Medical illustration of a normal aorta compared with aortic dissection.

Anatomy of the heart

Your heart has four valves that keep blood flowing in the right direction with each beat. The aortic valve sits between the heart's main pumping chamber, called the left ventricle, and the aorta, the large artery that carries oxygen-rich blood to the rest of your body.

When the aortic valve narrows, a condition known as aortic valve stenosis, the heart has to work harder to push blood through the smaller opening. Over time, this extra strain can weaken the heart muscle and reduce blood flow to your body, which is why early diagnosis and care matter.

Overview

Symptoms

Aortic stenosis symptoms can develop slowly and may not appear until the valve narrowing becomes more advanced. Common signs include:

Shortness of breath, especially during activity
Chest pain or tightness
Fatigue or weakness
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Fainting, particularly with exertion
A heart murmur detected during an exam
Swelling in the ankles or feet

As aortic stenosis progresses to severe aortic stenosis, symptoms often become more noticeable and may interfere with everyday activities.

Causes

Aortic stenosis develops when the aortic valve becomes stiff, thickened or narrowed, restricting normal blood flow. Common causes include:

Age-related calcium buildup on the valve, the most common cause in older adults
A congenital heart defect present from birth, such as a bicuspid aortic valve with two flaps instead of three
Rheumatic fever, which can damage the valve over time
Radiation therapy to the chest, in some cases

In many cases, aortic stenosis is the result of natural wear on the valve as people age.

Risk factors

Certain factors can increase your likelihood of developing aortic stenosis, though having one or more of these doesn't mean you'll develop this condition:

Older age
A history of congenital heart valve differences
Chronic kidney disease
High blood pressure or high cholesterol
A history of rheumatic fever
Smoking

Knowing your risk factors can help you and your care team decide how often to monitor your heart health.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing aortic stenosis typically starts with a physical exam, where your care team listens for a heart murmur and asks about your symptoms and health history. From there, additional tests can confirm the diagnosis and show how severe the valve narrowing has become. Common tests include:

Echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to create images of the valve and measure blood flow
Electrocardiogram (EKG), which records the heart's electrical activity
Chest X-ray, which can show changes in the heart's size and shape
Cardiac catheterization, which measures pressure within the heart and blood vessels
CT scan or MRI, which provide detailed images of the heart and aortic valve

A medical illustration of a heart with focus on the aortic valve.

Understand heart valve stenosis

Learn what heart valve stenosis is, how it compares to other valve conditions and what treatment options can help improve your quality of life.

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