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What Happens in Aortic Regurgitation?
To understand why this is significant, its helpful to learn about theanatomy of the heart.
The left ventricle pumps blood through the aortic valve into theaorta, the largest artery in the body.
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From there, blood flows throughout the body, delivering oxygen to your muscles and tissues.
With aortic regurgitation, some of the blood that is ejected into the aorta.
Eventually, your heart might not be able to pump enough blood to keep you healthy.
This is a condition calledcongestive heart failure.
How Does a Leaky Aortic Valve Affect the Body?
Theheart has four valvesthat regulate blood flow among the four chambers of the heart.
But when the valves are leaky, the heart cannot pump efficiently.
It must work harder to meet your bodys need for oxygen.
Over time, this extra effort can damage the heart and lead to heart disease and heart failure.
Symptoms of Aortic Regurgitation
Most people with aortic regurgitation dont have symptoms at first.
People can be asymptomatic (have no symptoms) for many years.
Then, symptoms can come on slowly or suddenly.
This condition can impact anyone.
About 5%10% of Americans will have aortic regurgitation.
An echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) can even reveal the condition in otherwise healthy people.
The condition is more common in men than women and is most often found in people over age 50.
Causes and Risk Factors for Aortic Regurgitation
Aortic regurgitation is sparked by weakening of the aortic valve.
Your healthcare provider will use an exam and image technology to diagnose aortic regurgitation.
These can include:
How Is Aortic Regurgitation Treated?
If youre not having symptoms, your healthcare provider might recommend monitoring your condition with regular echocardiograms.
This is an open-heart surgery to replace the damaged valve.
Interest is building for aminimally invasive versionof this surgery that does not require opening the chest.
For example, if you experience symptoms while exercising, your healthcare provider might recommend modifications.
Some people are born with aortic valve problems that cannot be prevented.
Regular monitoring can help you detect changes to your heart health early and avoid complications like congestive heart failure.
Summary
Aortic regurgitation is a condition where the aortic valve doesnt close tightly.
Over time, if left untreated, aortic regurgitation can lead to heart damage and heart failure.
American Heart Association.Problem: Aortic valve regurgitation.
American Heart Association.Warning signs of heart failure.
Dewaswala, Nakeya, and Robert Chait.
2023
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Aortic valve replacement: Open.
