Aortic stenosis - causes, symptoms and treatment
Between the aorta and the left ventricle of the heart there is a valve, which under certain circumstances can be significantly narrowed. In medicine, this condition is called stenosis of the mouth of the aorta, or aortic stenosis. With this pathology, blood flow from the heart deteriorates, which leads to an increase in pressure in the lungs and heart.
There are a number of factors that can lead to the development of pathology. Among them, the presence of a history of rheumatoid fever and diagnosed heart diseases in family members (this can be both pulmonary valve stenosis and myocardial infarction). Most often, narrowing of the mouth of the aorta is diagnosed in men.
The true causes of the disease include:
- congenital aortic valve defect (presence of only one segment);
- aortic valve is bicuspid, but has a high degree of "wear and tear";
- valve calcification, which is characteristic of elderly patients;
- scars on the aortic valve, the causes of which may be rheumatoid fever.
Symptoms of heart valve stenosis
If stenosis of the mitral valve manifests itself with specific symptoms at the beginning of its development, then in the case of problems in the work of the aortic valve, everything happens differently. For a long time, the patient does not seek qualified medical help, because the first symptoms are fatigue, general weakness and slight shortness of breath during or after physical exercises. The greater the "wear and tear" of the aortic valve, the more intense the symptoms of heart valve stenosis:
- pain in the chest - pulling and squeezing, has a periodic character;
- severe fatigue after any tension;
- sensation of irregular heartbeat;
- rapid heartbeat;
- frequent dizziness.
In rare cases, such a pathology can cause a fatal outcome without previously manifested symptoms.
Unfortunately, patients rarely seek help from a doctor, and the diagnosis begins already when there are signs of aortic insufficiency - severe chest pain and shortness of breath at rest, constant dizziness, weakness. It is easy to determine the cause of the deterioration of health - if it is done at an early stage of progression of stenosis, it is possible to avoid surgical intervention.
Diagnostic measures
The doctor not only collects an anamnesis and listens to the patient's heart, but also sends him to various instrumental and laboratory examinations. After all, before starting treatment, it is necessary to establish the degree of aortic stenosis and choose the tactics of therapy.
What is included in mandatory instrumental examinations:
- X-ray examination of chest organs;
- electrocardiogram;
- catheterization of the heart (contrast substance is injected into it and an X-ray is taken);
- echocardiogram.
General principles of aortic stenosis treatment
Operation for stenosis of the aortic valve is not performed in every diagnosed case. If the disease was detected at an early stage of progression, doctors follow surveillance tactics, which include reducing physical activity and taking specific medications to prevent the development of acute heart failure.
Surgical intervention may be necessary if the course of aortic stenosis is severe enough. Its essence consists in the artificial expansion of the mouth of the aorta and restoration of blood flow from the heart. If such measures do not give a positive result, the patient is offered a complete replacement of the aortic valve - an operation that has become routine in modern cardiology.
All types of treatment of aortic stenosis, as well as a list of doctors who will be able to consult and provide support for such a patient, can be found on the pages of our site Dobrobut.com.
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