Signs and symptoms

With mild aortic stenosis, there may be no symptoms or very few symptoms. However, as the narrowing becomes more severe and the left ventricle struggles to work properly, the following symptoms can occur.

Shortness of breath when active
Palpitations or an irregular heart rhythm
Fainting or dizziness
Chest pain

The aortic valve may not close properly and this results in blood flowing back from the aorta into the left ventricle. This is called regurgitation or 'leaky valve'. This in turn causes the ventricle to enlarge and thicken due to the blood flowing back into the ventricle. The main causes of aortic regurgitation are:

Rheumatic fever
A fault present at birth
An abnormal widening of the base of the aorta (dilatation of the aortic root)
Infection of the inner lining of the heart (endocarditis); and
Syphilis.

With mild aortic regurgitation, there may be no symptoms or very few symptoms. However, more severe aortic regurgitation may cause the following symptoms.

Shortness of breath when active
Fluid in the lungs (pulmonary oedema)
Palpitations or an irregular heart rhythm
Fainting or dizziness
Chest pain