Aortic Valve Regurgitation
Quick Facts
- Aortic valve regurgitation is when the aortic valve doesn’t close tightly.
- It allows some blood to leak backward into the heart.
- Over time, aortic valve regurgitation can lead to heart failure.
What is aortic valve regurgitation?
Aortic valve regurgitation happens when the aortic valve doesn’t close tightly. This lets some blood leak backward into the heart when it should be moving forward.
Normally, the heart sends oxygen-rich blood through the aorta to the body. With regurgitation, most blood still moves forward, but some flows back into the left ventricle when the heart relaxes.
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What happens during aortic valve regurgitation?
The heart must work harder when blood leaks back into the left ventricle. Over time, the ventricle may stretch, and its walls may thicken (called hypertrophy).
At first, the heart can still pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. But as the problem worsens, the heart may not pump as well. This can lead to heart failure.
What are the symptoms of aortic valve regurgitation?
Mild aortic regurgitation may not cause symptoms at first.
As the condition becomes more severe, you may notice:
- Heart palpitations
- Chest pain
- Feeling tired (fatigue)
- Shortness of breath
- Trouble breathing when lying down
- Weakness or fainting
- Swelling in the ankles or feet
What causes aortic valve regurgitation?
Aortic valve regurgitation can happen when the valve is damaged or when the aorta is affected.
Common causes include:
- A bicuspid aortic valve or other congenital heart defects
- Diseases that affect the aorta, such as dilated aortic sinuses
- Age-related changes to the valve, such as thickening or calcium buildup
- Rheumatic heart disease (less common in the U.S.)
Sudden (acute) aortic regurgitation may be caused by:
- Infection of the heart valve (endocarditis)
- A tear in the aorta (aortic dissection)
- Chest injury (trauma)
How is aortic valve regurgitation treated?
Treatment depends on how severe the condition is and how well the heart is working.
- Medications may be used to help manage symptoms and control blood pressure.
- Regular checkups help track changes over time.
- Valve repair or replacement is often needed when the condition becomes severe.
