UNVEILING AORTIC STENOSIS: UNDERSTANDING, DIAGNOSIS, AND MANAGEMENT OF THE MOST PREVALENT VALVE-RELATED HEART DISEASE
There are various components of the human heart that play critical roles in regulating enormous blood flow. If even one of these components begins to fail, you may be diagnosed with a serious heart disease. Aortic Stenosis is one such cardiac consequence that has developed into the world's most frequent valve deformation-related disease.
What is Aortic Stenosis?
The left ventricle and artery connect at the aortic valve, which is a semilunar valve with three leaflets. It lets blood move from the left ventricle to the aorta and the rest of the body in only one way. Stenosis is regarded as the abnormal narrowing of any passage of the body. Aortic valve stenosis occurs when the valve between the heart and the aorta narrows, limiting the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the body.
What are the consequences of Aortic Stenosis?
One of the most common complications of aortic stenosis is heart failure. The majority of patients will have hypertrophy of the left ventricle with normal systolic function. Severe symptomatic aortic stenosis patients are at a high risk of sudden death. Another complication associated with aortic stenosis is conduction abnormalities i.e. abnormal heart rhythm. Patients with aortic stenosis are also at an increased risk for infective endocarditis, particularly patients with the bicuspid aortic valve.
How is aortic stenosis diagnosed?
In the early stages of aortic valve stenosis, there may be no symptoms because the body has enough ways to make up for it. Aortic stenosis is most often marked by chest pain, loss of awareness, shortness of breath, and signs of heart failure. Physical examination is an integral part of any primary doctor-patient contact and can play a key role in the diagnosis of suspected valvular heart disease. Doctors can often hear a heart murmur, a key sign of aortic stenosis, using a stethoscope. An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) measures the electrical activity of your heart using sensors attached to the skin of your chest. Echocardiography is the tool of choice for confirming the diagnosis of aortic valve stenosis.
What are the lifestyle changes required to manage aortic stenosis?
Even though a damaged heart valve doesn't get better on its own, there are things you can do to deal with the symptoms. Your heart health and well-being will improve if you eat well, work out daily, and don't smoke. Blood pressure and cholesterol may also be lowered by some medicines. There is a link between gingivitis and endocarditis, which is an infection of the heart. Having aortic stenosis can make this chance higher, so it's important to take care of your teeth every day and get checkups.
What are the treatment options for aortic stenosis?
Severe aortic stenosis is a life-threatening condition but can be treated by replacing the heart valve. This is accomplished either through open-heart surgery SAVR (surgical aortic valve replacement) or the less invasive procedure called TAVI or TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve implantation or transcatheter aortic valve replacement). Although SAVR has traditionally been the standard for treating severe AS, TAVI is now available to most patients.
Disclaimer: Issued in public interest by Medtronic. Views expressed are independent views of the Dr. G. Sengottuvelu intended for general information and educational purposes only and is not medical advice.
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2023-10-13T12:12:16Z dg43tfdfdgfd