Aortic Stenosis
Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the opening of the aortic valve.
The aortic valve is a flap-like opening located between the left side of the
heart and the aorta. The aorta is the main artery carrying blood from the
heart.
What is going on in the body?
The heart is divided into two halves, right and left. Each side has a pumping
chamber, called a ventricle. The left ventricle receives blood from the lungs.
During a heartbeat, the left heart chamber squeezes, generating enough pressure
to open the aortic valve. Blood from the left side is then pumped into the
aorta and out into the body. When aortic stenosis has occurred, the opening of
the valve is narrower than normal. This reduces the amount of blood flow to the
body.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
The causes of aortic stenosis include:
calcium deposits that harden, or calcify, the valve
congenital heart disease from heart defects present
at birth
scarring of the valve from rheumatic heart disease
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