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Early Detection of Aortic Valve Insufficiency is Essential for Proper Treatment

Early Detection of Aortic Valve Insufficiency is Essential for Proper Treatment

There are four valves that control the flow of blood to and from the heart. One of these valves known as the aortic valve is directly responsible for the amount of blood that is released from the left ventricle to the main artery known as the aorta that travels to all areas of the body. When this valve does not function properly due to being damaged or other reasons it is referred to as aortic valve insufficiency. This condition is most common among the older generation and is considered to be the largest reason that valvular defects such as this occur.

Valve stenosis indicates that a valve is too narrow to adequately accommodate the volume of blood that is pumped out each time the heart beats. This results in the heart having to work twice as hard to produce the same effect. On the other hand if the valve does not close properly it often causes aortic regurgitation. Simply put this means that when the blood is pumped out of the ventricle some of it seeps back in. In either case this increases the workload of the ventricle and often causes the muscular wall to become too thick. This occurrence is known as hypertrophy and may lead to the expansion or dilation of the left ventricle.

There are several causes of aortic valve insufficiency include infection, rheumatic heart disease and the normal progression of age. Sometimes the cause of this condition may also be congenital or completely unknown.

Aortic valve disorders are typical for not producing symptoms early on however symptoms that may occur over time include chest pain, angina, feelings of lightheadedness, shortness of breath and fainting. When fainting is experienced it is most often due to an increased level of physical exertion. Under most circumstances when this condition strikes the elderly there are few if any symptoms.

Most often aortic valve insufficiencies are discovered through a routine physical examination that leads to the discovery of a heart murmur. Other methods that may also detect the presence of this condition include an EKG or electrocardiogram and ultrasound of the valves and heart also referred to as an echocardiogram. If physical findings are sufficient, cardiac catheterization may be necessary to evaluate the level of functionality of the heart and valves.

Once this diagnosis has been made your health care provider may prescribe certain medications in an effort to control blood pressure levels as well as inform you as to what these levels should be. It is also likely that you will be recommended to limit strenuous activities whenever possible.

If aortic valve insufficiency is severe and either stenosis or regurgitation are also factors in the problem valve repair or replacement may be needed. The possibility of these options will be presented to you only after your condition has been properly and correctly diagnosed in an effort to prevent unnecessary stress if it turns out to be due to other issues.

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