Aortic regurgitation occurs when the aortic valve doesn’t close properly. This is also known as aortic insufficiency or a leaky aortic valve because it lets blood leak back into the heart.
Symptoms
Many people with aortic valve disease do not experience any symptoms. As the disease progresses, you may notice a general decline in activity level. Other symptoms may include:
- Chest pain or tightness
- Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
- Fatigue, especially with activity
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing when lying down
Causes
Aortic valve diseases can be present at birth (congenital) or acquired later in life.
Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common genetic abnormality of the aortic valve. A bicuspid aortic valve has two leaflets instead of three. The valve may function well for many years or a lifetime. If stenosis develops or it becomes leaky, the valve may need repair or replacement. Find out more about bicuspid aortic valve.
Aortic valve disease can also be caused by:
- Age-related buildup of calcium that causes the valve to become narrow and stiff (stenosis)
- Heart conditions such as a prior heart attack or high blood pressure that can damage the aortic valve
- High-dose radiation from cancer treatment
- Infections such as rheumatic fever or infective endocarditis (an infection of inner lining of the heart that can also involve the heart valves)
Diagnosis
At the Frankel Cardiovascular Center, our team will work with you to assess your symptoms and make an accurate diagnosis. You will have most of your tests done under one roof and frequently in one visit.
Diagnosing aortic valve disease starts with a health assessment, review of your medical history and physical exam. Your doctor will also listen to your heart for a whooshing sound (murmur), a sign of heart valve disease.
Other tests our doctors use to diagnose aortic valve diseases include:
- Cardiac computerized tomography (CT) scan which creates a detailed image of your heart and valves using a special type of X-ray.
- Chest X-ray which shows your aorta and calcium buildup on the aortic valve.
- Coronary angiography which takes an X-ray of your heart and valves after a special dye is injected into your heart through a catheter inserted into a blood vessel in your arm or groin and guided to your heart.
- Echocardiogram which produces a video of your heart and valves in action using ultrasound waves. For a closer look, your doctor may order a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). A small ultrasound probe is inserted into your esophagus (tube that runs from the throat to the stomach) to get detailed images of your aorta and upper heart chambers.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) which tracks the electrical activity of your heart. An ECG can detect an irregular heartbeat and enlarged heart chambers.
- Exercise or stress ECG test to measures how your heart responds to physical activity. If you cannot exercise, you can take a medication that mimics exercise.
Treatment
At the Frankel Cardiovascular Center, you’ll receive care from a nationally recognized program. We are nationally ranked for Cardiology and Heart Surgery by U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals. We have also received top scores for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, aortic valve surgery and transcatheter aortic valve repair (TAVR).
We offer treatments that range from nonsurgical to minimally invasive to open surgery:
Make an Appointment
To schedule an evaluation with a Frankel Cardiovascular Center physician, call 888-287-1082. Or visit the Make a Cardiovascular Appointment page to learn what to expect when you call us.
Physicians: To refer a patient, call M-Line at 800-962-3555.