Aortic valve diseases can progress without symptoms

Aortic valve diseases, including stenosis and insufficiency, can progress without presenting obvious symptoms, potentially leading to serious cardiovascular complications. The aortic valve plays a critical role in ensuring blood flows correctly from the left ventricle to the aorta while preventing backflow.

Aortic stenosis occurs when the valve leaflets thicken, calcify, or stick together, making it difficult for blood to pass through. This forces the left ventricle to generate higher pressure, which can eventually lead to thickening of the heart muscle and reduced pumping efficiency. Common causes include age-related degenerative calcification, congenital bicuspid aortic valves, and rheumatic fever.

Aortic insufficiency, or regurgitation, occurs when the valve fails to close completely, causing blood to leak back into the left ventricle. This increases the volume of blood the heart must process, which can lead to the enlargement of the left ventricle and a gradual decline in contraction strength. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are essential to maintaining heart health.