Aortic Stenosis
Find out how PeaceHealth can help you take your life back from aortic stenosis.
What is aortic stenosis?
Aortic stenosis (also called aortic valve stenosis) occurs when the aortic valve doesn’t open fully, which prevents proper blood flow from your heart to the aorta and the rest of your body. When aortic stenosis occurs, the heart must work harder to pump blood, which may weaken your heart muscle. Aortic stenosis can eventually lead to serious heart problems like heart failure, stroke, heart arrhythmias, and death if left untreated.
Treatments
The treatment plan for aortic stenosis depends on the severity of your condition and personal health characteristics. Treatments may include one or a combination of the following:
- Lifestyle modifications to achieve healthier habits
- Regular checkups and monitoring
- Medication management, including ACE inhibitors, Beta-blockers, diuretics and heart rhythm medicines
- Minimally invasive TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) procedure
- Open heart aortic valve replacement surgery
Choosing PeaceHealth for your aortic stenosis care
PeaceHealth cardiologists average 34 years of experience treating aortic stenosis and treat an average of 2900 aortic stenosis patients every year. We have the experience to help you manage your condition and lead a full healthy life, so you never have to miss a beat.
Quality care close to home
You don’t have to wait to get the care you need. With more than 50 heart specialists across Alaska, Washington and Oregon, you can conveniently and promptly get an appointment close to home.
Trusted expertise
PeaceHealth is consistently recognized for providing safe, effective, and high-quality cardiac care. Recent recognition has come from the American Heart Association, the American Stroke Association, the Foundation for Health Care Quality, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.
Innovative treatments
We take pride in introducing minimally invasive heart technologies and surgical techniques into our communities. Today's advanced heart procedures are designed to help you recover quickly and so that you can return to your normal life.
Personalized care plans
We understand every patient has a different story. Our cardiac specialists will partner with you and your primary care physician to evaluate your condition and ensure you get connected with a treatment pathway that best fits your needs.
Symptoms and diagnosis of aortic stenosis
You should make an appointment with your primary care physician or cardiologist if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Abnormal heart sound (heart murmur) or feeling the heartbeat (palpitation)
- Chest pain, discomfort or tightness (especially with activity)
- Breathing problems (especially with activity)
- Cough (especially if bloody)
- Fatigue
- Fainting, weakness, or dizziness (especially with activity)
- Not eating enough or gaining enough weight (mainly in children with the condition)
Diagnosis of aortic stenosis is typically done through one or more tests conducted at your appointment. This may include cardiac computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), doppler echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, exercise stress test, or cardiac catheterization