As a result, less blood can be pumped to the body, which can lead to serious health problems.
Signs and Symptoms of Aortic Stenosis
- Chest pain
- Breathlessness or trouble breathing
- Fainting, dizziness, or feeling lightheaded
- Rapid, fluttering heartbeat
- Swollen feet or ankles
- Becoming tired quickly during normal activities, including walking
- Trouble sleeping
Not everyone with aortic stenosis has noticeable symptoms. In fact, many people don’t experience symptoms until the amount of restricted blood flow is significant. If you do experience symptoms, see your doctor, who can check the severity of the aortic stenosis and for reduced heart function.
Symptoms of aortic stenosis in infants and children due to a congenital defect include:
- Inability to gain weight
- Fatigue during normal activities
- Difficulty feeding
- Trouble breathing
Risk Factors
Risk factors for aortic stenosis include:
- Aging
- Congenital heart disease
- Infections that affect the heart
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Chronic kidney disease
- Radiation therapy to the chest
Duration of Aortic Stenosis
As such, you may experience aortic stenosis for decades without realizing it.
Complications of Aortic Stenosis
- Blood clots
- Bleeding
- Heart failure
- Stroke
- Irregular heartbeat
- Infections that affect the heart
- Death
BIPOC Communities and Aortic Stenosis
Additionally, the study found that individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups are less likes than white patients to have aortic valve replacement surgery; however, they are more likely to experience post-surgery complications including bleeding, worsening heart failure, and readmission to the hospital. Patients from underrepresented groups with severe aortic stenosis are also at a higher risk for morbidity and mortality compared with white patients.
Resources We Love
Mayo Clinic
The Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization that specializes in clinical practice, education, and research. Its website offers information about the symptoms, causes, risk factors, complications, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of aortic stenosis.
American Heart Association (AHA)
The AHA is the country’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Its website offers information about the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment of aortic stenosis.
MedlinePlus
MedlinePlus is a service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world's largest medical library, which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It offers information about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of aortic stenosis.
Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking
- Aortic Valve Stenosis. Mayo Clinic. August 7, 2020.
- Aortic Stenosis Overview. American Heart Association. October 26, 2020.
- Medications for Heart Valve Symptoms. American Heart Association. May 11, 2020.
- Aortic Valve Surgery — Minimally Invasive. MedlinePlus. November 3, 2020.
- Aortic Stenosis. MedlinePlus. November 3, 2020.
- Wilson JB, Jackson LR, Ugowe FE, et al. Racial and Ethnic Differences in Treatment and Outcomes of Severe Aortic Stenosis:Â A Review. JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. January 13, 2020.
- Grimard BH, Saffrod RE, Burns EL. Aortic Stenosis: Diagnosis and Treatment. American Family Physician. March 1, 2016.