Is aortic regurgitation a serious heart condition?

Is aortic regurgitation a serious heart condition?

The most serious potential complication from aortic valve regurgitation is heart failure, which is when your heart muscle weakens and can’t pump blood properly to your body. Heart failure can then lead to complications with your other organs.

How long can you live with mild aortic regurgitation?

In developing countries, it progresses much more rapidly and may lead to symptoms in children less than 5 years of age. Around 80\% of patients with mild symptoms live for at least 10 years after diagnosis. In 60\% of these patients, the disease may not progress at all.

When does aortic regurgitation require surgery?

Mechanical valve replacement You may eventually need surgery to repair or replace the diseased aortic valve, particularly if you have severe aortic regurgitation and symptoms. However, some people need surgery even if it’s not severe, or when they aren’t having symptoms.

Does aortic regurgitation always progress?

Background. The rate of progression of aortic regurgitation (AR) is not well described. Current guidelines state that asymptomatic patients with mild AR should be followed up every 3–5 years and 1–2 yearly for moderate AR.

Is mild aortic regurgitation serious?

Aortic regurgitation is a leaky aortic valve. When mild or moderate it is not typically of concern. Severe insufficiency can lead to heart enlargement and symptoms of heart failure so it needs to be watched closely. Severe aortic regurgitation with symptoms typically requires aortic valve replacement.

Can aortic regurgitation go away?

Aortic valve regurgitation can develop suddenly or over decades. Once aortic valve regurgitation becomes severe, surgery is often required to repair or replace the aortic valve.

Can you exercise with aortic valve regurgitation?

If you have mild to moderate regurgitation and reduced heart function, ask your doctor what level and type of activity is safe for you. You might be able to exercise at low or moderate aerobic levels such as walking or swimming.

What is the most common cause of aortic regurgitation?

The most common cause of chronic aortic regurgitation used to be rheumatic heart disease, but presently it is most commonly caused by bacterial endocarditis. In developed countries, it is caused by dilation of the ascending aorta (eg, aortic root disease, aortoannular ectasia). (See Presentation and Workup.)

Does aortic valve regurgitation get worse?

It becomes leaky allowing some blood flow back into the left ventricle instead of forward into the body. You may not have symptoms for many years. Chronic aortic valve regurgitation may get worse. It may require surgery.

Do leaky heart valves cause fatigue?

If the mitral valve regurgitation is significant, blood can’t move through your heart or to the rest of your body as efficiently, making you feel tired or out of breath.

What are the possible complications of aortic valve regurgitation?

Aortic valve regurgitation can cause complications, including: 1 Heart failure 2 Infections that affect the heart, such as endocarditis 3 Heart rhythm abnormalities 4 Death More

What does severe aortic regurgitation look like on an echocardiogram?

Another example of severe aortic regurgitation on an echocardiogram. Again the colorful Doppler jet moving from left to right represents the blood leaking backwards from the aorta into the heart. Of note, this patient also has a leaky mitral valve, which is known as mitral regurgitation.

When to see a doctor for aortic valve regurgitation?

When to see a doctor. Contact your doctor right away if signs and symptoms of aortic valve regurgitation develop. Sometimes the first indications of aortic valve regurgitation are those of its major complication, heart failure.

Is aortic insufficiency graded on Doppler?

Aortic insufficiency (AI) was noted on color Doppler. The importance of AI grading here lies in the possibility of changing the management (ie, AVR) should significant regurgitation be present.