Medicogram10 months ago

Picture depicting a stenosed Aortic valve

Aortic stenosis is one of the most common and most serious valve diseases. Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve opening, restricting the blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta and may also affect the pressure in the left atrium. This condition most commonly develops during aging as calcium deposits or scare tissue damages the valve and restricts the amount of blood flowing through it. The most common cause of aortic stenosis in young people is a birth defect where only two cusps grow instead of the normal three, which is called a bicuspid valve. Another cause may be that the valve opening does not grow along with the heart, which makes the heart work harder to pump blood through the restricted opening. Anyone with aortic stenosis should be checked with an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) to confirm the safest and best options for the treatment. Possible treatments may include valve repair or valve replacement. If consensus is reached and surgery is recommended, it is important to undergo surgery without any delay.