Aortic Stenosis

Aortic stenosis is a chronic condition that progresses in severity over time.

Sometimes aortic stenosis, even when it becomes severe, gives minimal or no symptoms but can be fatal if left untreated.

If heart disease runs in your family, or you feel any new or ongoing symptoms, make sure you check in every year with your cardiologist. 

Symptoms of aortic stenosis

Each valve in your heart has two or three flaps of tissue. They open and close like gates to regulate the flow of blood through your heart. 

The aortic valve is the main valve connecting the heart left chamber (pump) to the aorta and rest of the circulation system.

If your aortic valve starts to stiffen from a calcium buildup, it can’t send enough blood to your vital organs. Then your heart has to work harder to distribute blood throughout your body, which may lead to heart failure.

Like many conditions, aortic stenosis can be mild, moderate or severe. When less oxygen-rich blood gets to your brain, lungs and other organs, it leads to symptoms such as:

• Chest pain or tightness
• Difficulty walking short distances
• Fatigue or shortness of breath when exercising
• General fatigue
• Heart palpitations
• Lightheadedness, feeling dizzy or fainting (aka syncope, a sudden loss of consciousness)
• Shortness of breath
• Swollen ankles or feet

When to seek care for aortic stenosis

Early warning symptoms of valvular disease (or heart disease) are often chest pain and shortness of breath, but many times it can be limited to general fatigue.

If you suddenly experience tightness in your chest or have trouble breathing, go to the emergency room.

If your symptoms are ongoing for some time, or even if you don’t have symptoms, consider seeing a cardiologist regularly if:

• You have a family history of heart disease
• Birth defect
• Rheumatic fever
• You’ve had previous radiation therapy
• You’re at an advanced age

Aortic stenosis diagnosis at UCI Health

The road to recovery from aortic stenosis starts with the right diagnosis. During an evaluation, a cardiologist will take your history and perform a physical exam. We use several noninvasive (and sometime invasive) tests to make a diagnosis, including:

• Transthoracic echocardiogram
• Transesophageal echocardiogram
• Cardiac catheterization (angiogram and/or right heart catheterization)
• Stress test
• CT scan

Aortic stenosis treatment at UCI Health

Severe symptomatic aortic stenosis is a life threatening, progressive condition that needs medical intervention. 

Open-heart surgery

A heart-lung machine takes over your heart function. Then during surgery, we remove your aortic valve and sew in a mechanical or biological valve. 

After surgery, you’ll be able to live day-to-day without shortness of breath, chest pain or fainting. Your blood circulation will improve and you’ll feel like yourself again.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)

TAVR is a minimally invasive alternative to surgery. Through small openings in either your femoral artery (in the thigh) or chest, we implant a replacement valve using a small catheter. 

The benefits of TAVR include:

• Less invasive approach without opening the chest wall or heart
• Shorter recovery time
• Faster return to daily activities
• More independence

TAVR could be the best option if you’re at advanced age or high risk for surgery complications. Our experts in UCI Health Cardiology Services handle both procedures. At UCI Health, TAVR became the treatment of choice for most patients over the age of 65, after thorough assessment and discussion by our multidisciplinary heart team. Surgery will still be preferred and offered for younger patients, but also for older individuals in selected cases.

What to expect after treatment

Your UCI Health heart team, your cardiologist, cardiothoracic surgeon, echocardiographer (TAVR coordinator if needed) and others will discuss your care plan. Expect to stay in the hospital two to three days for a TAVR or up to a week after open heart surgery.

Always tell your other doctors about your heart valve replacement before any medical, dental or MRI procedures. Failure to do this can result in injury or death.

How to work with us

If you have symptoms that concern you, visit your primary care doctor or cardiologist. They can refer you to us.

You can also make an appointment at UCI Health for a consultation.

Why choose UCI Health for aortic stenosis care?

UCI Health cardiologists are part of Orange County’s most advanced cardiovascular disease services program

If you have a severe heart problem, we offer a full range of procedures and state-of-the-art technology. We’re often able to offer both traditional and minimally invasive treatments, giving you greater choices that impact your recovery time and hospital stays. Your doctor will discuss which approach is best based on overall health, age and other factors.

As a multidisciplinary team, we meet regularly to discuss your case

We speak about the pros and cons of all procedures and how they relate to your diagnosis.

Because doctors with different subspecialties confer together, you can feel assured you’re getting a well-rounded approach to care. 

We take complex heart cases that other hospitals aren’t equipped to address

On its own, aortic stenosis is a very serious condition. Our cardiologists successfully treat you while understanding how to navigate any complicated underlying condition you may have.

At UCI Health, we offer heart health coaching to help you navigate your care and improve your quality of life

Although many heart conditions are preventable, some are not. We can help you feel better and reduce the risk of future illness with important lifestyle changes.