Aortic stenosis and valve disease
The heart has four valves that keep blood moving in one direction. With age, the aortic valve can become thickened and stiff (aortic stenosis), so the heart has to push harder. Other valves can leak. Many valve problems are found when a doctor hears a murmur, before any symptoms appear.
1What you might notice
- Breathlessness or tiredness with activity
- Chest tightness, dizziness or fainting with exertion
- Swelling of the ankles
- A heart murmur found on routine examination
Fainting, or chest pain at rest, needs urgent medical attention. Call 000.
2Tests that help
- Echocardiogram
The key test: shows how narrowed or leaky a valve is and how the heart is coping.
- CT scan for valve planning
Measures the valve and arteries precisely when TAVI is being considered.
- Coronary angiogram
Checks the coronary arteries before valve treatment.
3Treatment options
- Monitoring
Mild valve disease is often watched with regular echocardiograms.
- TAVI
Replacing the aortic valve with a new valve passed through an artery in the leg, without open-heart surgery.
- Surgical valve replacement or repair
For some people surgery is the better option. Decisions are made with the heart team, you and your family.
Seeing Dr Ramzy about this
Ask your GP for a referral to Dr John Ramzy, then request an appointment at Heidelberg, Knox or by telehealth. All new referrals are offered an appointment within two weeks, usually sooner.