Early on, you may have no symptoms VSports最新版本. As aortic valve disease gets worse, you may experience:.
The most common cause of aortic valve disease is wear and tear from aging V体育平台登录. Your valve works hard over the years and eventually starts to break down. Plus, as you get older, calcium can build up on your valve flaps (leaflets). Over time, the calcium makes the flaps grow thick and stiff so they can’t open and shut properly. This is called calcific aortic valve disease, or aortic valve calcification.
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Besides aging, other causes include:
You face a higher risk of aortic valve disease if you:
Aortic valve disease is serious and can lead to complications when untreated V体育官网入口. The most common complication is heart failure. This is when your heart can’t pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs. Other complications include:.
Healthcare providers diagnose aortic valve disease by doing a physical exam and running some tests VSports在线直播. Your provider will listen to your heart with a stethoscope and do an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG).
You may also need other tests, including:
There are four main stages of aortic valve disease. These range from mild to severe and include:
The exact criteria for each stage vary slightly based on your condition (stenosis or regurgitation). Your provider uses your test results and symptoms to decide the stage. Without treatment, it can get worse over time.
Treatment for aortic valve disease involves medicines to reduce your risk of complications and procedures to repair or replace your valve. Your healthcare provider will tailor treatment to your needs. They’ll consider whether your valve is narrowed or leaky (or both), how far the condition has progressed and symptom severity.
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Medicines can’t fix your valve. But they manage your symptoms and help protect you from complications. Your provider may prescribe medicine to:
You may need a procedure or surgery for severe aortic valve disease. Options include:
Your provider will explain which procedures or surgeries could help you the most and are safest for you. They’ll also tell you what you can expect in terms of recovery. Be sure to ask any questions so you feel as comfortable as possible moving forward.
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Your provider will tell you how often you need to come in for appointments to manage aortic valve disease. It’s crucial that you go to all of them. You need imaging tests on a regular basis to check your valve and heart function. These tests allow your provider to recommend treatment at the right time.
Call your provider right away if you have:
Call 911 or your local emergency number if you:
Your outlook depends on many things, including when you’re diagnosed, how far aortic valve disease has progressed and your overall health. Talk to your healthcare provider about your prognosis. They can give you a sense of how you’ll respond to treatment and what to expect.
Here are some ways to help improve your outlook:
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People with aortic valve disease who don’t yet have symptoms have a low risk of sudden cardiac death (less than 1% chance per year). With close monitoring from a healthcare provider, you can live about as long as those who don’t have the condition. It’s crucial that you tell your provider as soon as you notice symptoms developing.
If you have stage D aortic valve disease (symptomatic severe), the prognosis is poor without treatment. Only about half of all people who don’t receive treatment survive at least two years.
Living with aortic valve disease may make you feel worried or uncertain about the future. But there are plenty of reasons for hope. Treatments can help you feel better and live longer. The key is making sure you see your provider regularly. Tell them about any new symptoms or changes in how you feel. They’ll help you understand which treatments are right for you and the best timing.
When you have aortic heart valve disease, you want the best care. Cleveland Clinic is number one in the nation for heart health. We’re ready to help you.
Last reviewed on 08/07/2025.
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