- Medications. If aortic valve disease is mild or moderate or if you aren't having symptoms, you may only need regular medical checkups to monitor the condition.
- Surgery or other procedures. Eventually, surgery or a catheter procedure may be needed to repair or replace the diseased aortic valve.
- Aortic valve repair. Aortic valve repair often requires open-heart surgery. However, less invasive options may be available.
- Aortic valve replacement. In mechanical valve replacement, a mechanical valve replaces the damaged valve. ...
Is it time for medical therapy for aortic valve disease?
Untreated, severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis is associated with a dismal prognosis. The only treatment shown to improve survival is aortic valve replacement; however, before symptoms occur, aortic stenosis is preceded by a silent, latent phase characterized by a slow progression at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels.
What is the treatment for aortic valve disease?
Surgery options for aortic valve stenosis include:
- Aortic valve repair. To repair an aortic valve, surgeons separate valve flaps (cusps) that have fused. ...
- Balloon valvuloplasty. This procedure can treat aortic valve stenosis in infants and children. ...
- Aortic valve replacement. Aortic valve replacement is often needed to treat aortic valve stenosis. ...
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). ...
How dangerous is an aortic valve replacement?
Like any type of surgery, an aortic valve replacement is associated with a number of complications. Fortunately, serious problems are uncommon. The risk of experiencing complications is generally higher for older people and those in generally poor health.
Is it dangerous to have aortic valve replacement?
Until recently, aortic valve replacement was an open-heart procedure. That made it too dangerous for many older people with other health problems. A new procedure, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), is safer. It does not require opening the chest.
Can you repair aortic valve without open-heart surgery?
Aortic valve repair and aortic valve replacement may be done through traditional open-heart surgery, which involves a cut (incision) in the chest, or by using minimally invasive methods, which involve smaller incisions in the chest or a catheter inserted in the leg or chest (transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or ...
How can I improve my aortic valve?
These may include:Eating a heart-healthy diet. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, poultry, fish, and whole grains. ... Maintaining a healthy weight. Aim to keep a healthy weight. ... Getting regular physical activity. ... Managing stress. ... Avoiding tobacco. ... Controlling high blood pressure.
What is the treatment for aortic valve disease?
Eventually, surgery or a catheter procedure may be needed to repair or replace the diseased aortic valve. Some people with aortic valve disease need surgery even if it's not severe or when it's not causing symptoms. Surgery to repair or replace an aortic valve is often done with open-heart surgery.
How long can you live with a severe aortic valve?
1 Aortic stenosis is the most common clinically relevant consequence of BAV and usually presents between 50 and 70 years of age. 2 If left untreated, severe aortic valve stenosis is associated with an annual mortality of 25% and the mean duration of survival after diagnosis is 2–3 years.
Can aortic valve repair itself?
Unfortunately, heart valves do not tend to heal themselves. It is true that some infants born with heart murmurs will eventually grow out of the murmur as the heart matures.
How do you treat heart valves naturally?
9 Natural Ways to Strengthen Your Heart ValvesLook at Your Plate. ... Pop Some Fish Oil. ... Keep Your Weight in Check. ... Decrease Salt Intake. ... Get Better Sleep. ... Move Around. ... Try Meditation. ... Up Your Dental Hygiene.More items...•
Can you live a long life with aortic stenosis?
Patients with aortic stenosis can live full and rewarding lives. However, they may need to be monitored by a heart specialist with office visits and periodic testing.
How serious is an aortic valve replacement?
An aortic valve replacement is a major operation and occasionally the complications can be fatal. Overall, the risk of dying as a result of the procedure is estimated to be 2%. But this risk is far lower than the risk associated with leaving severe aortic disease untreated.
What are the symptoms of aortic valve problems?
Signs and symptoms of aortic valve disease may include:Whooshing or swishing heart sound (heart murmur)Chest pain or tightness.Dizziness.Fainting.Fatigue after activity or having less ability to be active.Irregular heartbeat.Shortness of breath, particularly during vigorous activity or when lying down.More items...•
What is the average age for aortic valve replacement?
Average patient age was 53 to 92 years. The researchers carried out several subgroups analyses to examine the influence of different factors. These included patient age, whether the study also included mechanical valves, and risk of study bias.
What is the survival rate for aortic valve replacement surgery?
Survival Rate of Heart Valve Replacement SurgeryHeart valve replacement surgery5-year survival rate10-year survival rateAortic valve replacement surgery94%84%Mitral valve replacement surgery64%37%Pulmonary valve replacement surgery96%93%Tricuspid valve replacement surgery79%49%Oct 23, 2020
How do you fix a leaky heart valve without surgery?
While this condition can lead to serious health problems, it is treatable – even more so these days due to a minimally invasive procedure using the MitraClip. This FDA-approved device allows physicians to fix faulty heart valves without doing open heart surgery.
What is the procedure to replace a leaking aortic valve?
Doctors may use a catheter procedure to insert a plug or device to repair a leaking replacement aortic valve. In a biological valve replacement, a biological or tissue valve replaces the damaged valve. In a mechanical valve replacement, a mechanical valve replaces the damaged valve.
What tests can be done to check for aortic valve disease?
Exercise tests help doctors see whether you have signs and symptoms of aortic valve disease during physical activity, and these tests can help determine the severity of your condition. If you are unable to exercise, medications that have similar effects as exercise on your heart may be used. Cardiac MRI.
What type of echocardiogram is used to check aortic valve?
Doctors may also use a 3-D echocardiogram. Doctors may conduct another type of echocardiogram called a transesophageal echocardiogram to get a closer look at the aortic valve.
What is the name of the device that shows the heart in motion?
Echocardiogram. Sound waves directed at your heart from a wandlike device (transducer) held on your chest produces video images of your heart in motion. This test can help doctors closely look at the condition of the aortic valve and the aorta.
How does a doctor do a cardiac catheter?
In cardiac catheterization, a doctor threads a thin tube (catheter) through a blood vessel in your arm or groin to an artery in your heart and injects dye through the catheter to make the artery visible on an X-ray. This provides your doctor with a detailed picture of your heart arteries and how your heart functions.
How to prepare for a heart appointment?
Preparing for your appointment. You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor. After your initial appointment, your doctor may refer you to a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions (cardiologist). Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.
Can you have surgery to repair an aortic valve?
Your doctor may recommend that you make healthy lifestyle changes and take medications to treat symptoms or reduce the risk of complications. You may eventually need surgery to repair or replace the diseased aortic valve. In some cases, your doctor may recommend surgery even if you aren't experiencing symptoms.
What is the aortic valve?
Overview. The aortic valve is a large blood vessel connected to the left ventricle, one of the lower chambers of the heart. The aortic valve exits the heart and branches out into smaller blood vessels, helping oxygen-rich blood flow throughout the body. When something goes wrong with the aortic valve, it can’t function properly.
What is the term for a tear in the wall of the aorta?
Aortic dissection , a tear in the wall of the aorta, is always a medical emergency that requires open heart surgery or a less-invasive endovascular surgery. Two other aortic valve conditions are aortic stenosis, when the aorta becomes narrowed, and aortic regurgitation, when the aorta is leaky and blood moves back into the valve instead ...
Is a tear in the wall of the aorta a medical emergency?
If these symptoms continue or become severe, surgical treatment may be needed. Aortic dissection, a tear in the wall of the aorta, is always a medical emergency ...
Can you replace an aortic valve with an artificial valve?
Valve implantation, where the aortic valve is replaced with an artificial valve, may be needed in some cases. This can be done with open-heart surgery or using the transcatheter technique. Continue Reading. Find a Doctor.
Ask the doctor
Q. I'm 74, and my doctor says severe aortic stenosis is causing me to feel breathless and faint, and that I need treatment soon: either surgery or something called TAVR. Neither sounds particularly appealing. Can't I just take medicine?
Disclaimer
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
What is a TAVR valve?
A newer approach allows you to get a fresh valve without open-heart surgery. It’s called transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR. It’s a little like balloon valvuloplasty, because it uses a catheter threaded into an artery to your heart.
What are some medications that slow your heart rate?
ACE inhibitors, which can open blood vessels more fully. Medicines that tame heart rhythm problems. Beta-blockers, which slow your heart rate. Diuretics (“water pills”), which lessen the amount of fluid in your body and ease stress on your heart.
How long do biological valves last?
Man-made valves last longer, but you’ll need to take blood-thinning medicines for the rest of your life. Biological valves must be replaced after 10 or 15 years. Your doctor can help you weigh your options. A newer approach allows you to get a fresh valve without open-heart surgery.
Can a pill help with aortic stenosis?
Medications. No pill can cure or even improve your aortic stenosis. But there are some medications that may help you control your symptoms and lower the chance of having certain complications. Among the medicines your doctor might prescribe are: ACE inhibitors, which can open blood vessels more fully.
What happens when the aortic valve becomes narrow?
When the aortic valve becomes narrow enough, the heart makes up for this by pumping harder. Over time, the heart becomes thickened just like any other muscle. Blood that is normally squeezed out of the heart easily is now being pushed out like a pressure washer hose.
What is aortic stenosis?
“Aortic stenosis is a mechanical problem that requires a mechanical fix ,” says Dr. Bloom. He offers heart surgery to replace the aortic valve so they function correctly once again. He also uses animal tissue valves – his preferred valve comes from a cow – to replace hardened heart valves beyond repair.
What is a TAVR?
This is called transcatheter aortic valve replacement , or TAVR. A catheter – a thin tube – is threaded through a blood vessel in the groin up to the heart. When it reaches the heart, the surgeon uses the instruments on the end of the catheter to open up and replace the valve.
How long does a tavr valve last?
Dr. Bloom says that tissue valves typically last about 15 to 20 years until they need to be replaced.
Why does aortic stenosis lead to rapid decline?
That’s because when the heart muscle gets too thick, fluid can back up into the lungs and the patient may develop congestive heart failure . Without treatment, aortic stenosis leads to rapid decline. Dr. Bloom likens its survival rate to that of advanced lung cancer.
What is the number to call for cardiac surgery?
If you have a heart condition such as aortic stenosis that might require cardiac surgery, the AdventHealth Pepin Heart Institute can help. Call. Call. 855-303-3627 to schedule an appointment with one of our highly experienced cardiovascular surgeons.
When was TAVR approved?
When the FDA approved TAVR in 2011, it could only be used for patients for whom open surgery was not a possibility. These are patients who are so elderly, frail or sick that the surgery would have been too dangerous for them. However, the TAVR procedure works so well that it was tried for lower risk patients.
How to keep heart valves working?
Here are five ways to look after this hard-working heart valve. 1. Eat a heart-healthy diet. People with high cholesterol may see their aortic valve narrow much faster than people with healthy cholesterol levels. So it’s important to keep cholesterol levels under control.
How to prevent heart murmurs?
Your routine should include brushing and flossing at least twice a day and seeing a dentist every six month for a check-up and cleaning. 5. Get your heart murmur checked.
What is the largest valve in the heart?
Valve Disease. The largest of the heart’s four valves is the aortic valve. This important valve controls how blood is pumped from the left ventricle into the heart’s main artery: the aorta. Your aortic valve opens and closes 60 times per minute and never stops, which means it’s constantly under a large amount of stress.
How to reduce sodium intake?
One easy way to reduce sodium intake is to cook most meals at home, since 70 percent of sodium in our diets come from packaged or restaurant foods. 2. Keep blood pressure in check. High blood pressure can impact many of the heart’s functions and structures, and the aortic valve is no exception. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is associated ...
Is smoking bad for your aortic valve?
Smoking contributes to one in three deaths related to heart disease, so it’s no surprise that it’s not good for your aortic valve. Specifically, smoking can accelerate plaque buildup in the heart’s arteries. It also promotes the formation of blood clots and can raise your blood pressure.
Can a thick heart valve cause blood flow?
If the thickening becomes severe enough, a life-threatening condition called aortic valve stenosis can interfere with blood flow. Not every problem with the aortic valve can be prevented, but lifestyle changes can go a long way toward avoiding some problems. Here are five ways to look after this hard-working heart valve.
Ask the doctor
Q. Can you please explain the difference between aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation?
Disclaimer
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
Diagnosis
- To diagnose aortic valve disease, a health care provider will usually do a physical exam and ask questions about your signs and symptoms and medical history. A health care provider may hear a whooshing or swishing sound (heart murmur) when listening to your heart with a stethoscope. I…
Treatment
- Treatment for aortic valve disease depends on: 1. The severity (stage) of aortic valve disease 2. Whether the disease is causing symptoms 3. Whether the condition is getting worse Treatment may include monitoring, lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery or other procedures. If you have aortic valve disease, consider being evaluated and treated at a medical center with a multi…
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Coping and Support
- If you have aortic valve disease, here are some steps that may help you manage the condition: 1. Take medications as prescribed.Take your medications as directed by your health care provider. 2. Get support.Connecting with others who have the same or a similar condition may be helpful. Ask your health care provider about support groups in your area. 3. Stay active.Regular exercise …
Preparing For Your Appointment
- If you think you have aortic valve disease, make an appointment to see your health care provider. Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment. 1. Be aware of pre-appointment restrictions.When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do beforehand. 2. Write down your symptoms,including any that seem unrelated to heart valve dise…
Diagnosis
Treatment
- Treatment of aortic valve regurgitation depends on the severity of your condition, whether you're having signs and symptoms, and if your condition is getting worse. The goals of aortic valve regurgitation treatment are to ease symptoms and prevent complications. If your symptoms are mild or you aren't having symptoms, your doctor may monitor your condition with regular follow …
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- You'll have regular follow-up appointments with your doctor to monitor your condition. While lifestyle changes can't prevent or treat your condition, your doctor might suggest that you incorporate several heart-healthy ones into your life. These may include: 1. Eating a heart-healthy diet.Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, low-fat or fat-free ...
Preparing For Your Appointment
- You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor. After your initial appointment, your doctor may refer you to a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions (cardiologist). If you have aortic valve regurgitation, consider being evaluated and treated at a medical center with a team of cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, and other doctors and me…