Severe aortic stenosis diagnosis

[Annie-blue]

Hi I'm new here, with the above diagnosis. Due another 'surveillance echo' in 6 months and no chance of 'elective' surgery due to coronavirus. Not sure what symptoms to look out for. I am feeling some niggly high back pain and the occasional need to take a really deep breath, but some of that could be due to a little bit of panic..... An exercise walk often seems to help and doesn't appear to make any symptoms worse, is that normal or crazy?

[Hidden]

Hi Annie. Main symptoms with severe aortic stenosis to look out for are chest pain, tiredness, shortness of breath and leg swelling. Have you spoken to GP about high back pain if not I would contact to discuss and to ask what symptoms to look out for? Are you due a follow-up call with consultant? You should have still been referred to a cardiac rehab team for advice/support. They would not prescribe exercise but would advise you on what you should and should not be doing. Did they advise you on anything to look out for or guidance at time of diagnosis?

I work in Cardiac Rehab 🙂 I also advise patients if you notice any change in symptoms or unusual symptoms contact GP.

You should certainly not be doing any heavy lifting.

All the best,

[Annie-blue in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for that. Advice from the cardiologist on diagnosis a year ago was change nothing and carry on doing exactly as you are. No further referrals anywhere. I had a follow up echo a month ago and the only change was a 1mm decrease in the valve area. The only communication was a copy of the letter to my GP giving this information and advising 6 monthly echos now. As far as exercise goes, I have a desk job and do 10 mins yoga style exercises in the morning and walk 3 or 4 miles most afternoons. I also do a lot of gardening for pleasure. Anything that might be 'symptoms' tends to go in cycles so I'll have 2 or 3 weeks with nothing, whatever I do, and then a few days with chest aches (I couldn't call it pains) and some shortness of breath, even when just sitting down. After a few days that goes off and all back to normal. Could be stress related as this whole situation freaks me out!

[Templar889 in reply to Annie-blue]

Hi Annie, I was diagnosed with moderate stenosis. No change in lifestyle.

Went to severe in 2017 still no symptoms are change in lifestyle.

Was asymptomatic till mid March this year when I felt cold and unwell whilst out running. Went onto treadmill during lockdown, was ok for about two weeks then suffered quite severe chest pains shortness of breath and dizziness while exercising. My blood pressure seemed to plummet. I struggle with any sort of strenuous activity so am down to walking a lot. Am ok with weights though. 😁

Going through the tests prior to AVR so fingers crossed.