The primary function of the heart is to supply oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. While the aortic valve lies in the center of this miraculous machine, its critical structure ensures that blood flows efficiently from the heart to the remaining parts of the body. When any issues arise with the valve function, it brings numerous distressing symptoms, notably chest pain and shortness of breath. But have you ever imagined why this happens, and how serious it is?
Further, this blog will give you a brief understanding of aortic valve issues disturbing heart function, why they can result in chest pain and breathing issues, and what treatment options are available.
What is the aortic valve?
The aortic valve is one of the four valves in the heart. The aortic valve opens to allow oxygen-rich blood to flow from the heart into the aorta and closes to prevent blood from flowing backward into the heart. Mostly, individuals will experience these two types of aortic valve disease:
- Aortic stenosis: In this condition, your heart valves will become narrowed or obstructed.
- Aortic regurgitation: In this condition, the valves do not close correctly, eventually, the blood will leak back into the heart.
To treat these kinds of issues, you should reach out to the cardiac surgery hospital Coimbatore to get the desired results.
Why do aortic valve issues cause symptoms?
When any malfunctions occur in aortic valve function, the heart needs to work super hard to pump sufficient blood, which will exhibit serious symptoms. The main symptoms that bring patients to the emergency room or cardiologist include:
Intense chest pain (Angina):
- The heart muscle itself requires oxygen-rich blood for proper function.
- The aortic stenosis, a narrowed valve, restricts blood flow not just to the body but also to the coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle.
- As mentioned above, the heart works super hard to push blood through those tight valves, increasing the demand for oxygen while reducing the supply.
- Patients describe this pain as squeezing, tightness, and intense pressure in the chest, it further radiates to the neck, shoulder, arms, and jaw.
Shortness of breath (Dyspnea):
- With aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation, an individual’s heart will struggle to pump blood efficiently.
- In case the blood goes back to the lungs or there is insufficient oxygen supply to the tissue, pulmonary congestion and shortness of breath will occur.
- Initially, patients will experience breathlessness, and when the disease starts progressing, they will experience breathing difficulty even when resting or lying flat.
- This symptom will annoy you because it will affect the quality of your life and sleep.
Along with the symptoms mentioned above, individuals with aortic valve disease will also experience:
- Due to reduced blood circulation, fatigue and weakness will occur.
- During exertion, you will experience aortic valve stenosis symptoms like dizziness or fainting.
- Heart palpitations.
- When fluid gets built up due to heart failure, your ankles and feet will become swollen.
These signs can range from mild to life-threatening and will worsen slowly over time.
Who is at risk of developing aortic valve issues?
- Aging: Elderly people over the age of 65 are more likely to develop this condition.
- Congenital valve defects: Few people are born with a bicuspid aortic valve (two leaflets instead of three), which increases the risk.
- Rheumatic fever: This causes heart valve disease.
- Infections: Such as infective endocarditis (infection in the valve lining).
- High blood pressure or cholesterol: Will result in valve calcification.
What are the ways to diagnose aortic valve issues?
Whenever experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath, notably with exertion, it’s crucial to see a doctor. Often, healthcare providers will use the following methods to diagnose aortic valve disease:
- Echocardiogram: This is a key imaging test that shows the structure and movement of heart valves.
- Electrocardiogram: Detects unusual heart rhythms or strain on the heart.
- Chest X-ray: Shows enlargement of the heart and fluid in the lungs.
- Cardiac MRI or CT: These tests offer precise views of the valve and surrounding structures.
- Cardiac catheterization: Checks the pressure inside the heart and evaluates blood flow.
What are the treatment options available for aortic valve issues?
Based on the severity of the condition and the symptoms, the treatment for aortic valve disease will be changed.
Medications:
You need to understand that medications can’t fix the faulty valve, but they will help relieve the signs. Mostly, medications will help in reducing fluid buildup in the lungs and legs, reducing heart strain, and improving blood flow.
Surgical procedures:
In case your condition and symptoms worsen, a aortic valve replacement surgeon in Coimbatore will recommend valve repair or replacement.
1) Aortic valve replacement:
- Surgical AVR (SAVR): This is an open-heart surgery, where the affected valve will be replaced with a mechanical or biological prosthetic.
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR): As this is minimally invasive, greater risk patients can benefit from this. In this procedure, a new valve will be delivered via a catheter through the leg artery.
2) Balloon valvuloplasty:
- Occasionally used for aortic stenosis, notably in young patients or those awaiting surgery. During the procedure, healthcare providers will try widening the valve by inflating the balloon.
Final thoughts:
Of course, aortic valve problems can absolutely cause severe chest pain and shortness of breath. These signs are not just uncomfortable, they are the warning signs that your heart is under serious strain. Ignoring them can result in serious complications like heart failure or sudden cardiac death.
In case you or your loved ones are experiencing these signs, don’t ignore them. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a huge difference in quality of life and longevity. Simply, with the proper treatment, several individuals with aortic valve disease go on to live long, healthy lives.