Early diagnosis and proper treatment are crucial to managing this condition effectively. Fortunately, patients now have access to advanced Aortic Valve Stenosis Treatment in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, where a combination of skilled cardiologists, state-of-the-art facilities, and minimally invasive procedures like TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) offer patients a chance at a healthier, more active life.
Whether you’re experiencing symptoms or seeking a second opinion, timely intervention can make all the difference.
Key Points:
Causes:
- Age-related calcification: The most common cause in older adults, where calcium deposits build up on the valve over time, causing it to stiffen and narrow.
- Congenital heart defects: Some individuals are born with a bicuspid aortic valve (having two leaflets instead of three), which can lead to stenosis.
- Rheumatic fever: A complication of untreated strep throat that can damage the heart valves, including the aortic valve.
Symptoms:
- Chest pain (angina), especially with exertion.
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, particularly during physical activity.
- Fatigue due to the heart's inability to pump blood efficiently.
- Fainting (syncope), often with exertion, due to insufficient blood flow to the brain.
- Palpitations or irregular heartbeats.
Diagnosis:
- Echocardiogram: The most common test to assess the severity of the narrowing and examine the aortic valve’s function.
- Chest X-ray and ECG may be used to assess heart size and rhythm.
- Cardiac catheterization: In some cases, this test may be done to measure the pressure inside the heart chambers and the aorta.
Treatment:
- Medications: To manage symptoms, such as diuretics for fluid retention, but they don't cure the stenosis.
- Aortic valve replacement (AVR): In severe cases, surgery to replace the damaged valve with a mechanical or biological valve is often necessary.
- Balloon valvuloplasty: A procedure where a balloon is inflated to widen the narrowed valve (usually temporary and less common).
Complications:
- Heart failure: Due to the increased workload on the heart.
- Arrhythmias: Abnormal heart rhythms, especially atrial fibrillation.
- Sudden cardiac arrest: In severe cases, aortic stenosis can lead to sudden death, particularly if left untreated.
Aortic stenosis is a serious condition, and treatment often involves valve replacement when the condition becomes symptomatic. Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve outcomes.
Diagnosis:
- Echocardiogram: The most common test to assess the severity of the narrowing and examine the aortic valve’s function.
- Chest X-ray and ECG may be used to assess heart size and rhythm.
- Cardiac catheterization: In some cases, this test may be done to measure the pressure inside the heart chambers and the aorta.
Treatment:
- Medications: To manage symptoms, such as diuretics for fluid retention, but they don't cure the stenosis.
- Aortic valve replacement (AVR): In severe cases, surgery to replace the damaged valve with a mechanical or biological valve is often necessary.
- Balloon valvuloplasty: A procedure where a balloon is inflated to widen the narrowed valve (usually temporary and less common).
Complications:
- Heart failure: Due to the increased workload on the heart.
- Arrhythmias: Abnormal heart rhythms, especially atrial fibrillation.
- Sudden cardiac arrest: In severe cases, aortic stenosis can lead to sudden death, particularly if left untreated.
Aortic stenosis is a serious condition, and treatment often involves valve replacement when the condition becomes symptomatic. Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve outcomes.
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