Aortic valve
regurgitation is a problem with the aortic valve. The aortic valve allows blood to flow from the heart's lower left chamber (ventricle) into the aorta and to the body. When the heart
rests between beats, the valve closes to keep blood from flowing
backward into the heart.
When you have aortic valve
regurgitation, the aortic valve doesn't close as it should. With each heartbeat, some of the blood leaks back (regurgitates) through the aortic valve
into the left ventricle. The body does not get enough blood, so the heart has
to work harder to make up for it. See a picture of
aortic valve regurgitation.
You can have this problem for a long time and not know it. It may take years for symptoms to start. This is called chronic aortic valve regurgitation. In rare cases, the valve problem starts suddenly and without warning. This is called acute aortic valve regurgitation. It requires medical help right away.
What causes aortic valve regurgitation?
Any
condition that damages the aortic valve can cause aortic valve regurgitation.
Common causes of chronic valve problems include:
Being born with a damaged aortic
valve.
Aging.
Enlargement of the aorta because of high
blood pressure or hardening of the arteries.
Rheumatic
fever.
The most common causes of sudden (acute) aortic valve regurgitation include:
Endocarditis, which is an infection in the
heart.
Aortic dissection, which means that the inner layer of
the aorta separates from the middle layer.
For chronic regurgitation, you may not have any symptoms at first. But over time you may have:
Fatigue or weakness.
Shortness of
breath, most often when you are active.
A fast, slow, or uneven
heartbeat (arrhythmia).
A feeling that your heart is pounding,
racing, or beating unevenly (palpitations).
Chest pain or pressure
(angina), often brought on by exercise, when the heart
has to work harder.
Fainting.
When the valve problem is acute, these symptoms are
sudden, often more intense, and life-threatening.
How is aortic valve regurgitation diagnosed?
Your
doctor may suspect that you have this type of valve problem after hearing a
heart murmur through a
stethoscope. He or she will ask about your symptoms
and past health and will want to know if you have any family history of heart
disease.
You will get further tests, like an
echocardiogram to confirm the
diagnosis, to show how much the valve is leaking, and to see how well the left
ventricle is working.
How is it treated?
Your treatment will depend on
what is causing your valve problem and if you have symptoms.
If
your aortic valve regurgitation starts suddenly and is acute, you'll need valve
replacement surgery right away.
But in most people, aortic valve
regurgitation starts slowly. Your doctor will probably recommend some lifestyle
changes to keep your heart healthy. He or she may advise you to:
Quit smoking. And stay away from secondhand
smoke.
Follow a heart-healthy diet.
Be active if your doctor says it's okay. Walking is a good choice.
Stay at a healthy
weight.
Your doctor will
see you regularly to check on your heart. In some cases, doctors prescribe
medicine to lower blood pressure and delay the advance of the disease.
If symptoms appear or your heart does not pump as well, you will probably
need valve replacement surgery.
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Different factors cause sudden (acute) and
long-standing (chronic)
aortic valve regurgitation.
Chronic aortic valve regurgitation
Causes of
chronic
aortic valve regurgitation include:
Congenital heart defects. Some people are born with a valve that has one
(unicuspid valve) or two leaflets (bicuspid valve) instead of three. In either of these cases, the valves don't close the way they should when the heart is at rest.
Aging.
The normal wear and tear of aging can affect the valves.
Endocarditis. This is an infection in the heart. Bacteria caused by infection can prevent the valve from closing properly.
Enlarged aorta. This can be caused by age or other health problems, such as high blood pressure.
The diet medicine fen-phen. Fen-phen was
a popular diet drug that was taken off the U.S. market in 1997 because of its
link to heart valve disease, including aortic valve regurgitation.
Rheumatic fever. If you had rheumatic fever, you may be at increased risk for aortic valve regurgitation.
Radiation treatments for cancer. In rare cases,
radiation treatments to the chest, especially in young
people, can damage the aortic valve.
You may not have any symptoms for a long time. When
symptoms do appear, it may mean that your heart is severely affected. See a picture of
aortic valve regurgitation.
There's no way to tell how quickly symptoms will develop. Some people stay free of symptoms for decades. For others, symptoms may develop over 2 to 3 years.
Tell your doctor if one of your close family members has a
congenital aortic valve defect. This may also increase your risk.
When to Call a Doctor
Call your doctor
if you have symptoms of
aortic valve regurgitation such as fainting, chest
pain, or shortness of breath. Your doctor will confirm whether you have valve problems or some
other condition. For more information, see Symptoms.
Acute aortic valve regurgitation comes on
suddenly. Symptoms include severe shortness of breath, a rapid heart rate, lightheadedness, weakness, confusion, and chest pain.
Acute aortic valve regurgitation is a medical emergency. Call 911
immediately.
Who to see
Health professionals who can diagnose aortic valve regurgitation
include:
After you have been diagnosed, you may be referred to a
cardiologist, who specializes in heart diseases. The
specialist will monitor your condition and help determine when valve
replacement is needed.
Exams and Tests
Tests for aortic valve regurgitation can assess how severe the
regurgitation is and whether you have any complications, such as
abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias) or
heart failure.
Aortic valve regurgitation can typically be
diagnosed by physical exam. Your doctor will check your blood pressure, pulse, and listen for abnormal sounds in your heart and lungs.
Other tests may include:
Echocardiogram (echo). Echocardiography (echo) can
be used to look at the heart valves and the shape of the leaflets and to see
whether the valves are leaking.
Cardiac catheterization. This test can help your doctor find out how much the aortic valve is leaking and check the health of your coronary arteries.
Cardiac pool scan. This test measures how well the left ventricle is pumping
and how much blood is pumped out of the chamber with each heartbeat.
Recommended frequency for checking aortic valve regurgitation1
Severity of aortic valve regurgitation
How often you should have an echocardiogram
Mild
Every 2 to 3 years
Moderate
Every year
Severe
Every 4 to 6 months
Treatment Overview
Treatment for
aortic valve regurgitation usually depends on whether
you have symptoms from your leaky heart valve and how well your heart is pumping. Other things that affect treatment include your age and risks related to surgery.
You'll need regular echocardiogram tests as part of your treatment. Your doctor will let you know how often you'll get these tests. For more information, see Exams and Tests.
Monitor your symptoms
If you have any chest pain or pressure, fainting, or
shortness of breath, be sure to tell your doctor right away. He or she will rely on you to report how you feel and how your symptoms are changing.
Medicines to manage
If your regurgitation is mild and you don't have any symptoms, you doctor may not prescribe medicines. If your regurgitation is moderate to severe, your doctor may prescribe a blood pressure medicine. For more information, see Medications.
Lifestyle changes
Because your heart is already working hard to keep up with your body's needs, your doctor will probably recommend that you make some healthy lifestyle changes. These include eating a heart-healthy diet and not smoking. For more information, see Living With Aortic Regurgitation.
Surgery if you get worse
You will likely have surgery to replace your aortic valve if your regurgitation is getting worse. You might have surgery before you get symptoms. If you have acute regurgitation, surgery may be done right away. For more information, see Surgery.
End-of-life care
If you have symptoms and don't have surgery, you will likely develop severe heart failure and have a much shorter life span. So it's important to think about end-of-life issues. You may want to consider the type of care you wish to receive in case you are unable to make your wishes known. For more information, see the topic
Care at the End of Life.
Living With Aortic Regurgitation
Having
aortic valve regurgitation means that your heart is working
overtime to keep up with your body's needs. Your doctor will probably suggest
lifestyle changes to help your heart.
Make healthy lifestyle changes
If you smoke, try to quit. Medicines and counseling can help you quit for good.
Your doctor will also
recommend that you follow a
heart-healthy diet and
limit how much salt you eat.
If you don't have symptoms of aortic valve regurgitation and your left ventricle is working well, your doctor may suggest
regular, light aerobic exercise, such as walking. But don't start an exercise
program on your own without first talking with your doctor. You may need some tests to see what sort of exercise is safe for you.
If you need to lose weight, try to reach and stay at a healthy weight. For help, see the topic Weight Management.
Take care of yourself
Report any symptoms of
chest pain or pressure, fainting, and shortness of breath to your doctor right away. These
are signs that you are likely to need surgery.
If your aortic valve regurgitation is severe, your doctor will probably advise you to avoid strenuous physical activity.
See your doctor regularly, and get the tests you need to assess your heart, such as echocardiograms. For more information, see Exams and Tests.
Practice good dental hygiene and have regular checkups.
Good dental health is especially important, because bacteria can spread from
infected teeth and gums to the heart valves.
Get a
flu shot every year.
Medications
Treatment for chronic
aortic valve regurgitation includes medicines to
reduce blood pressure. If you have valve replacement surgery, you will need to
take medicines to prevent infection and blood clots around the artificial
valve.
Medicines to reduce blood pressure
If your regurgitation is moderate to severe, your doctor may
prescribe blood pressure medicine such as:
Nitrates (such as nitroglycerin) relieve angina symptoms, such as chest pain or pressure.
Medicines after valve surgery
If you have valve replacement surgery, you may need:
Anticoagulant medicine, (such as
warfarin). Depending on the type of valve you receive, you may need to take this medicine for a few months after surgery or for the rest of your life.
Valve replacement surgery is the only
cure for aortic valve regurgitation. Having surgery is a big decision. To help decide when you need surgery, you and your doctor will look at your overall health, your heart health, and how severe your regurgitation is.
Your doctor will check:
Your symptoms, if you have any.
Your ejection fraction (how much blood your heart is pumping out to your body).
Even if you don't have symptoms, your doctor may suggest surgery. Most of the time, symptoms only occur when the heart is already damaged. Learn more about deciding about surgery for aortic valve replacement.
If you have surgery, a mechanical or tissue valve will be used to replace your heart valve. Before you have surgery, you and your doctor will decide on which type of valve is right for you. To help with this decision, see:
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons provides patient information on surgeries of the chest and throat that are done by cardiothoracic surgeons. These surgeries include heart, lung, and throat surgery. The patient information section of the website describes diseases, surgeries, patient options, and what to expect after surgery. And using the website, you can search for surgeons in your area.
American Heart Association (AHA)
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75231
Phone:
1-800-AHA-USA1 (1-800-242-8721)
Web Address:
www.heart.org
Visit the American Heart Association (AHA) website for information on
physical activity, diet, and various heart-related conditions. You can search for information on heart disease and stroke, share information with friends and family, and use tools to help you make heart-healthy goals and plans. Contact the AHA to find your
nearest local or state AHA group. The AHA provides brochures and information
about support groups and community programs, including Mended Hearts, a
nationwide organization whose members visit people with heart problems and
provide information and support.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
(NHLBI)
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
Phone:
(301) 592-8573
Fax:
(240) 629-3246
TDD:
(240) 629-3255
Email:
nhlbiinfo@nhlbi.nih.gov
Web Address:
www.nhlbi.nih.gov
The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
(NHLBI) information center offers information and publications about preventing
and treating:
Diseases affecting the heart and circulation, such as heart
attacks, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, peripheral artery disease, and
heart problems present at birth (congenital heart diseases).
Diseases that affect the lungs, such as asthma, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, sleep apnea, and
pneumonia.
Diseases that affect the blood, such as anemia,
hemochromatosis, hemophilia, thalassemia, and von Willebrand disease.
Bonow RO, et al. (2008). 2008 Focused update
incorporated into the ACC/AHA 2006 Guidelines for the management of patients
with valvular heart disease: A report of the American College of
Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines
(Writing committee to revise the 1998 Guidelines for the management of patients
with valvular heart disease). Circulation, 118(15):
e523–e661.
Other Works Consulted
Bonow RO, et al. (2008). 2008 Focused update
incorporated into the ACC/AHA 2006 Guidelines for the management of patients
with valvular heart disease: A report of the American College of
Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines
(Writing committee to revise the 1998 Guidelines for the management of patients
with valvular heart disease). Circulation, 118(15):
e523–e661.
Freeman RV, Otto CM (2011). Aortic valve disease. In V Fuster et al., eds., Hurst’s The Heart, 13th ed., vol. 2, pp. 1692–1720. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Oakley RE, et al. (2008). Choice of prosthetic heart valve in today's practice. Circulation, 117(2): 253–256.
Otto CM, Bonow RO (2012). Valvular heart disease. In RO Bonow et al., eds., Braunwald’s Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine, 9th ed., vol. 2, pp. 1468–1539. Philadelphia: Saunders.
Rosengart TK, et al. (2008). Percutaneous and minimally invasive valve procedures: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia, Council on Clinical Cardiology, Functional Genomics and Translational Biology Interdisciplinary Working Group, and Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Interdisciplinary Working Group. Circulation, 117(13): 1750–1767.
Stewart WJ, Carabello BA (2007). Aortic valve disease.
In EJ Topol et al., eds., Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine, 3rd ed., pp. 366–388. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and
Wilkins.
Whitlock RP, et al. (2012). Antithrombotic and thrombolytic therapy for valvular disease: Antithrombotic therapy and prevention of thrombosis, 9th ed.—American College of Chest Physicians evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest, 141(2)(Suppl): e576S–e600S.
Credits
By
Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer
Rakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology
Specialist Medical Reviewer
Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
Bonow RO, et al. (2008). 2008 Focused update
incorporated into the ACC/AHA 2006 Guidelines for the management of patients
with valvular heart disease: A report of the American College of
Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines
(Writing committee to revise the 1998 Guidelines for the management of patients
with valvular heart disease). Circulation, 118(15):
e523–e661.
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