Aortic Stenosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Aortic Stenosis?
A cardiologist (a heart doctor) diagnoses and watches aortic stenosis. A cardiac surgeon replaces the valve when it is needed. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is aortic stenosis?
The aorta is the main artery that carries blood out of the heart to the rest of the body. Blood flows out of the heart and into the aorta through the aortic valve. In people with aortic stenosis, the aortic valve does not open fully. This decreases blood flow from the heart.
As the valve narrows, the left ventricle works harder to pump blood out through the valve. Its walls get thicker. Blood can also back up into the lungs. Severe aortic stenosis can limit the blood that reaches the brain and the rest of the body. If not treated, heart valve disease can cause heart failure or other life-threatening conditions.
Symptoms
Most people do not develop symptoms until the condition is advanced. Sometimes a doctor finds it when they hear a heart murmur, an odd sound in the heartbeat, and order tests. Symptoms include:
- Chest discomfort that may get worse with activity and reach into the arm, neck, or jaw.
- Breathing problems when exercising.
- Becoming easily tired.
- Feeling the heartbeat (palpitations).
- Fainting, weakness, or dizziness with activity.
- Cough, possibly with blood.
In infants and children, signs include tiring easily, poor feeding, and failure to gain weight.
Causes and who gets it
Aortic stenosis mainly occurs from a buildup of calcium deposits that narrow the valve. This mostly affects older people. It happens sooner in people born with abnormal aortic or bicuspid valves. Another cause is rheumatic fever, which can develop after strep throat or scarlet fever. About 2% of people over 65 have aortic stenosis, and it is more common in men than in women.
How doctors diagnose it
A heart murmur, click, or other odd sound is almost always heard through a stethoscope. Blood pressure may be low. Doctors most often use a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE), an ultrasound of the heart taken from the chest. Other tests include an electrocardiogram (ECG), which records the heart's electrical signals. Doctors may also use exercise stress tests, MRI of the heart, or a thin tube threaded into the heart.
Treatment
Regular checkups may be all that is needed if symptoms are not severe. Medicines treat symptoms of heart failure or odd heart rhythms. Medicines can ease symptoms, but eventually you may need to have the valve repaired or replaced. High blood pressure is treated as well. People with severe aortic stenosis may be told not to play competitive sports, even if they have no symptoms.
Surgery to repair or replace the valve is often done for people who develop symptoms. Replacement valves can be mechanical, or biological, which means made from animal tissue. A less invasive option is balloon valvuloplasty. A balloon stretches the valve opening, but the narrowing often comes back. TAVR, or transcatheter aortic valve replacement, replaces the valve with a catheter, a thin tube threaded through a blood vessel. It treats aortic stenosis and is becoming more common. Risks of valve replacement include stroke, blood clots, and bleeding where catheters were inserted.
When to see a doctor
Call 911 right away for chest pain or discomfort that lasts two minutes or more, fainting, coughing up blood, or severe trouble breathing. See your doctor if you or your child has other symptoms of aortic stenosis, such as getting tired easily, feeling your heartbeat, or breathing problems when you exercise. If you have been diagnosed and your symptoms get worse or new symptoms develop, tell your doctor right away.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. This doctor can listen for a heart murmur, check blood pressure, and send you to a cardiologist for an echocardiogram. After a valve procedure, they can watch your heart health over time and coordinate care with the heart team.
Common questions
Is aortic stenosis serious?
It can be. If not treated, heart valve disease can cause heart failure or other life-threatening conditions. Severe narrowing limits blood flow to the brain and body. The results of aortic valve replacement are often excellent.
Why does the aortic valve narrow?
Mainly from calcium deposits that build up on the valve over time. People born with bicuspid aortic valves get calcium buildup sooner. Rheumatic fever is another cause. In rare cases, chest radiation can speed up calcium buildup.
What is TAVR?
TAVR stands for transcatheter aortic valve replacement. A doctor threads a thin tube through a blood vessel and replaces the valve. It treats aortic stenosis without open-heart surgery.
Can aortic stenosis exist without symptoms?
Yes. Most people have no symptoms until the condition is advanced. Doctors sometimes find it when they hear a heart murmur and order tests.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Aortic stenosis
- NHLBI, NIH - Heart Valve Diseases Treatment
- NHLBI, NIH - Heart Valve Diseases Causes and Risk Factors
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
