Five things to know about aortic stenosis
If it has become difficult to walk around the grocery store or you cut your golf game in half because the full 18 left you breathless, mention it to your healthcare provider.
Symptoms like fatigue or shortness of breath with activity might seem vague and feel like a normal sign of aging, but they can also be signs of aortic stenosis.
“Of all of the heart valve diseases that we deal with, aortic stenosis is certainly the most deadly, but it is also the easiest to treat,” said Alex Voltz, RN, a structural heart coordinator at M Health Fairview Heart Clinic – Maplewood.
Aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve that controls the flow of blood through the heart’s main artery, the aorta, becomes narrow or doesn’t open fully. The flow of blood to the rest of the body becomes limited. Untreated, aortic stenosis can lead to irregular heartbeat, irreversible damage to the heart structure, heart failure, and eventually death.
Voltz and Christa N. Heckman, MPAS, PA-C, a physician assistant focused on structural heart care at M Health Fairview Heart Clinic – Maplewood, share five things to know about aortic stenosis.
Early signs of aortic stenosis are easily missed
With aortic stenosis, many people will notice symptoms, such as:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain or tightness
- Feeling dizzy or fainting
- Fatigue, or getting tired quickly
“My suggestion for people who are experiencing those for the first time would be to talk to your primary care provider about them,” Heckman said. “If you have seen cardiologist but it's been more than a year, then get in contact with your cardiology team and let them know what you’ve been noticing some new symptoms.”
Aortic stenosis symptoms start gradually
Aortic stenosis isn’t like a heart attack where there’s a big event that tells you something is wrong. Instead, the symptoms can be gradual. Voltz said she often hears that people have made accommodations without realizing it. For example, a golfer might go from carrying their own bag 18 holes to using a caddy to playing only nine holes.
Often, it’s a spouse, adult child, or golfing buddy who points out the decline. “Hey, remember last year when we played all 18? What happened?”
Heckman said she asks people to think back to what they could do six months or a year ago that they can’t do now. Do you remember easily walking to your grandchild’s soccer field or walking up the stairs at home without getting breathless?
That kind of decline might not be an untreatable sign of aging.
“No question is too small, and there’s no concern that you can't bring up with your doctor or your health care provider,” Heckman said. “If you feel like something's not right and you're not getting the answers that you are hoping to get, you can seek care elsewhere or keep asking questions.”
Learn more about heart and vascular care from M Health Fairview.
Aortic stenosis treatment will vary
Your healthcare provider might order an echocardiogram to check for heart valve issues. An echocardiogram is a noninvasive ultrasound test that produces pictures of your heart.
Treatment for heart valve issues might start with monitoring the issue and making lifestyle adjustments, such as increasing physical activity, quitting smoking, or eating healthier. Your healthcare provider might also recommend medication to maintain the heart’s rhythm, reduce fluid buildup, or lower blood pressure.
Your care team might also recommend surgery to replace the valve. M Health Fairview offers both open-chest surgery and minimally invasive, catheter-based treatments like a transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR procedure.
Treatment can quickly improve quality of life
Aortic stenosis can limit blood flow throughout the body, which can leave you feeling fatigued or breathless with even a small amount of physical exertion. But treatment can quickly restore blood flow. After treatment, our patients have gotten back to doing their own grocery shopping and volunteering at the science museum.
Our structural cardiology team can care for aortic stenosis quickly
The structural cardiology team at M Health Fairview St. John’s Hospital was named to the American Heart Association Target: Aortic Stenosis 2025 Honor Roll for excellence in caring for patients with aortic stenosis. The team is passionate about spreading awareness and identifying people who would benefit from aortic stenosis care and getting them that care quickly.
