Aortic Stenosis

[Madmart54]

Hi. I went for an Echocardiagram 2 years ago and they diagnosed Aortic Stenosis and branch block-Moderate. I heard nothing last year and so contacted my doctors surgery and they booked another Echoecardiagram-Moderate. I again heard nothing this year and so contacted my doctor’s surgery and they contacted the hospital. The reply was to contact my surgery next year. After reading about AS it seems a fairly serious condition and not a good mortality rate without surgery-which is normally recommended when moderate as opposed to serious. I somewhat feel I’m being left to monitor myself with the possibility of surgery being too late? Any thoughts please 👍.

[Madmart54]

Update:Just spoke to a nice BHF nurse who reassures me that annual echocardiograms aren’t always necessary. I’ll just have to monitor myself I suppose.

[Taviterry in reply to Madmart54]

Last May I was confirmed as having severe aortic stenosis, with the surgeon implying that I could defer the operation fora while. I opted to go ahead, and a week before the op in July managed a cautious six-hour walk. But on the day of the op I found it an effort to walk 12 minutes with an overnight bag from my boarding house to the hospital. And a few weeks before, I had to scamper to get to a medical appointment in time and could feel the strain.

There's plenty here about treatments for aortic stenosis, it usually means having a replacement heart valve. There are several regulars here who speak enthusiasticly about their outcomes.

[Ageingfast]

I was classified as mild stenosis, for three years, then moderate for one year then severe, at which stage it was urgent to have a replacement valve. I heard about “critical” but I never had that classification.

I got these classifications by having an annual scan.

A key moment was when I began to stumble forward.

I had a synthetic valve, which is fabulous, but it has a limited life span so having the op before being essential will not be a good idea.

So , if possible, ensure you have the routine annual scan.

My area hospital has improved the scanning department a great deal. They give me the results within minutes, which is brilliant.

The op for a new valve was great, wonderful, life saving. Rehab, mostly involves resting at home, but for me it was almost four months. My new valve has been trouble free for four years.

I had aortic stenosis.

Sooty

[nextadventure]

Hi. My first recommendation for someone with moderate aortic stenosis is that you see a GP regularly (e.g. two - four times a year) for general check ups. Why? Because it has been found (fairly recently) that people with moderate aortic stenosis have a higher mortality than those with no aortic stenosis or mild aortic stenosis or even people who have had a valve replacement. Also, you can move into the severe aortic stenosis bracket at any time. You may or may not have symptoms. If you develop any new shortness of breath, chest/arm/ jaw discomfort with exertion, ankle swelling, abnormal tiredness or fainting you MUST be reviewed as soon as possible. Assuming the symptom is due to the valve stenosis would then move you into the category requiring surgery. You also want to ensure you can prevent, diagnose early or have well-managed other disease that impacts on your heart - such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, various infections, autoimmune disease, alcohol intake etc etc. Your GP should be enquiring into, monitoring or treating these. Hence the regular check ups.

The usual guidelines for monitoring of aortic stenosis once it reaches the moderate stage is one to two yearly echocardiograms - however, there is a bit more detail that can be acquired from your echocardiogram which can help determine whether you should have repeats more frequently (i.e. at least annually). In big research hospitals they may also do other more detailed tests to help determine your current risk or heart damage.

I write as a retired Australian GP who has had TWO aortic valve replacements (first bovine, second mechanical), initially at age 54 (now 65). The first I knew that I had aortic stenosis was when I developed jaw discomfort walking up a hill in Cappadocia - the echocardiogram a week later showed severe aortic stenosis. If I had been more sedentary, it's likely I would have sustained irreversible heart damage before knowing there was a problem. (I'm doing well.) I really despair when I read some of the stories related on this site. Your doctor(s) should be advising, explaining, giving you written information and arranging follow-up. It shouldn't be your job to figure it out!

[Bumpitybump]

I believe a valve replacement operation arrives on the horizon once severe aortic stenosis is identified (valve having less than 1cm sq capacity), When the NHS were slow and or reluctant to do an annual echocardiogram I paid for a private one and got the results to Dr/Cardiologist. I was lucky to be in a position to be able to do this. Year three, the stenosis had escalated to severe, NHS decided to do their own echocardiogram which confirmed the results, long story short, eventually got on surgeon’s list and valve replaced in July. Stenosis at time of Op had reduced valve to 0.23 cm sq. I had few symptoms, some breathlessness, less active than I had been. Now, although having to find my way through post Op atrial fibrillation, I know the valve is working well. Only echocardiograms will tell medics how the stenosis is progressing. I would chase them up for echocardiograms, and then chase them again. I felt, in early days, I was gaslighted from treatment and became determined to make sure all information was available. You are in a very good position, already aware of your problem and looking for informed opinions, keep researching and keep an eye on your own condition. Very best of luck.