The aorta is one of the important arteries in the human body and ensures the transmission of blood from the lower left chamber of the heart to the whole body. There is a valve in the part where the vein exits the heart and it is called the aortic valve. A disease called aortic valve insufficiency or aortic insufficiency occurs when the aortic valve does not close tightly and blood leaks backwards. Blood that is not pumped into the body in sufficient quantities due to leakage may cause symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath and palpitations over time. In the long term, this disease may become more severe and, as a result, surgery may be required to repair the valve. You can read the rest of the article for more detailed information about the disease, such as aortic insufficiency symptoms and aortic insufficiency degrees.
What is Aortic Valve Insufficiency?
There are 4 heart valves to control blood flow in the heart. These valves prevent the blood leaving and entering the heart from escaping back and ensuring that the blood flows in the right direction. The aortic valve is one of these 4 valves that control blood flow. It is located between the lower left chamber of the heart (left ventricle) and the aorta, the main artery. As a result of damage to the aortic valve, a disease called aortic valve insufficiency or aortic insufficiency occurs. If this valve does not close completely, some of the blood sent to the body will leak backwards. The part with increased blood load begins to expand over time. The heart muscle, which pumps blood in this area, starts to work harder due to this expansion. All this extra work and excess blood load begins to tire the heart and therefore the body after a while. This results in the body not being able to pump enough blood in the future. Over time, this problem begins to manifest itself with various symptoms both in your heart and in your body.
Aortic Insufficiency Symptoms
Symptoms of aortic insufficiency usually develop slowly over time. You may not have any signs or symptoms at first when valve damage occurs. This makes it difficult to detect the condition in the early term. Symptoms of acute aortic valve insufficiency develop suddenly as a result of an infection in the valve. General findings of aortic insufficiency may include:
- Shortness of breath in the presence of exercise or at normal times
- Fatigue and fatigue, especially when you increase your activity level
- Aortic insufficiency murmur (hearing an additional sound in the heart that is not normally present)
- Arrhythmia (Irregular pulse)
- Dizziness or fainting
- Chest pain (angina), discomfort or tightness that often increases during exercise
- Feeling of a fast, fluttering heartbeat (palpitations)
- Edema in the feet, legs or abdomen
- Waking up with shortness of breath after falling asleep
- involuntary weight loss
- Cough
Aortic Insufficiency Risk Factors
Any condition that affects the heart’s aortic valve may be considered a risk factor for aortic regurgitation. In the past, rheumatic fever was considered the main cause of aortic valve insufficiency. However, today rheumatic fever can be treated with antibiotics. Risk factors for aortic regurgitation other than rheumatic fever may include:
- Aortic involvement of ankylosing spondylitis
- Congenital (present at birth) valve problems, such as bicuspid aortic valve
- Endocarditis (infection of the inner surface of the heart or valves)
- high blood pressure
- Marfan syndrome
- Reiter syndrome (also known as Reactive arthritis)
- Syphilis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
Aortic insufficiency is more common in men than in women. It is most commonly seen in men between the ages of 30 and 60.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Aortic Insufficiency
Treatment for aortic insufficiency may vary depending on the condition and severity of your symptoms. Aortic insufficiency is an irreversible disease and therefore it is not possible to talk about a drug that completely cures the disease. Instead, treatments often focus on managing symptoms. Aortic insufficiency treatment:
- Medication
- surgical procedure
- lifestyle change
- It may include treatment options such as regular check-ups.
Aortic insufficiency is diagnosed by ultrasound evaluation of the heart (echocardiography). It is graded in four steps, from mild aortic insufficiency to advanced aortic insufficiency, by echocardiography. In diagnosing advanced aortic insufficiency, cardiac MRI examination may sometimes be required if echocardiography is in between. When mild aortic insufficiency is diagnosed, only follow-up is required. However, regular echocardiography (ECHO) is required to follow the progress of the disease. High blood pressure can trigger aortic valve insufficiency to worsen, that is, the development or worsening of disease symptoms. For this reason, blood pressure patients can be treated with medication to slow down the progression of aortic insufficiency or improve its symptoms. The symptoms seen as a result of advanced aortic insufficiency are due to heart failure. For the treatment of heart failure, diuretic drugs may be prescribed by the doctor to reduce complaints. In addition, it is necessary to avoid activities such as heavy exercise that will tire or strain the heart, which puts extra load on the heart as a result of damage to the aorta.
Surgical replacement of the aortic valve is the most effective method used today in advanced aortic insufficiency. When evaluating surgical treatment, your age, health condition, symptoms you have, and the function and condition of your heart will be taken into account. There is increasing interest in aortic valve placement (TAVI) via catheter
in individuals with very high surgical risk . Today, aortic valve placement via catheter is performed in case of advanced aortic insufficiency in the previously replaced bioprosthetic aortic valve. In case the patient’s own aortic valve deteriorates and advanced aortic insufficiency develops, new methods are under development to replace the valve with the TAVI method.
Besides these:
- Aiming to eliminate negative emotional states such as stress, which are not good for the heart, from your life,
- You stay away from smoking and alcohol,
- Healthy eating,
- Focusing on a healthy lifestyle with adequate exercise can also be seen as lifestyle changes where you may see improvements in symptoms.
Aortic valve insufficiency is not a disease that is easy to detect because it can progress for a long time without symptoms. It can be noticed more easily when it occurs suddenly as a result of an infection. The treatment process should begin as soon as the disease is diagnosed. The treatment of each disease is planned specifically for the person and his/her conditions. Therefore, your doctor will give you the most accurate and appropriate information about the treatment. If you have any doubts about aortic valve insufficiency, you can go to the nearest hospital and get checked.
