Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) can result from heart abnormalities that may be hereditary, but it commonly develops in older adults due to scarring and calcium buildup in the valve cusps.
The valve cusps are the flaps or folds of tissue on the valve that open and close with each heartbeat.
AVS is a type of heart valve disease. People may also call it aortic stenosis or a failing heart valve.
If a person has AVS, their aortic valve has narrowed. This valve allows blood flow from the heart to the main artery, or aorta. Blood flows out to the rest of the body from the aorta.
If someone has AVS, their aortic valve does not open fully, which stops or reduces the blood flow from the heart. People with AVS may not have symptoms until they experience a significant reduction in blood flow.
This article discusses AVS and genetics in more detail. It also explores other AVS causes and risk factors, symptoms, treatments, and the potential outlook.
Scientists have carried out several studies into AVS and genetics.
Some people have AVS due to a congenital heart abnormality called bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). People with BAV have
Additionally, a 2022 study investigated AVS in people with and without BAV. The researchers found that calcific AVS heritability was significant. Calcific AVS can occur in people with or without BAV and results from calcium buildup. The researchers also suggested that further studies into the topic are necessary.
In a
The researchers concluded that a person’s genetics contribute to AVS risk. They also noted further research is necessary to understand how.
The
Other AVS causes
- rheumatic valve disease
- alkaptonuria, which is a rare inherited condition where a person’s body cannot break down tyrosine and phenylalanine, according to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS)
- systemic lupus erythematosus
ochronosis , a rare disease that causes bluish-black discoloration of some tissues, including the eyes and ear cartilage- exposure radiation
- metabolic diseases, such as Fabry disease
AVS does not always produce symptoms. People who have mild AVS
AVS symptoms
- chest pain
- lightheadedness
- swollen ankles or feet
- difficulty breathing or breathlessness
- rapid or fluttering heartbeat
- difficulty walking short distances
- difficulty sleeping or needing to sleep sitting up
- a reduced ability for usual activities
- fainting
If a child or infant has AVS due to a congenital heart abnormality, they may have symptoms that include:
- breathing problems
- not feeding enough
- not gaining weight
- fatigue or tiredness when exerting themselves
People need to speak with a healthcare professional about any new or worsening AVS symptoms.
A doctor may diagnose a person with AVS during a regular health checkup or heart scan. If they have the condition, a healthcare professional
People can
- taking medications
- making dietary changes according to a doctor’s guidance
- exercising regularly
- avoiding smoking, if applicable
There is a link between gingivitis and endocarditis. People with AVS are more at risk of endocarditis. Therefore, daily dental care and routine dentist appointments are important.
However, the main treatment for AVS is
Doctors may not be able to predict how fast a person’s AVS will progress. It progresses at highly different rates from person to person.
For people with mild or worse AVS symptoms, AVR improves their outlook. Without AVR, a person’s average survival time is
AVS complications may include:
- endocarditis
- heart failure
- pulmonary hypertension, which is where a person’s heart works harder to pump blood into their lungs
- conduction abnormalities, or problems with the electrical system that controls a person’s heart rate and rhythm
- increased risk of bleeding, especially gastrointestinal bleeding
- embolisms, which are blockages in arteries
Without treatment, a person’s severe AVS is likely to worsen and
Some people have aortic valve stenosis (AVS) due to a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), which is a congenital heart abnormality. Research suggests that BAV has
People with AVS may not have symptoms for some time. When they occur, symptoms may include chest pain, breathlessness, and lightheadedness.
Doctors typically recommend aortic valve replacement to treat AVS. People need to contact a healthcare professional if they think they may have AVS or have received an AVS diagnosis and are experiencing new or worsening symptoms.