Aortic Valve Stenosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Aortic Valve Stenosis?
A cardiologist (a doctor who specializes in the heart) finds and follows aortic valve stenosis. Heart surgeons or interventional cardiologists replace the valve when 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 valve stenosis?
The aortic valve controls the blood that runs from the heart through the aorta and to the rest of the body. Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve. The valve may become stiff and not open up.
The narrowing blocks the flow of blood to the body and forces the heart to work harder. This causes symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath.
Symptoms
Most people with aortic stenosis do not develop symptoms until the condition is advanced. Symptoms of aortic stenosis include:
- Breathing problems when exercising.
- Weakness or dizziness with activity.
- Becoming easily tired.
- Feeling the heartbeat (palpitations).
Chest pain and fainting are emergencies. See the 911 line below.
Causes and who gets it
Aortic stenosis may be present from birth, but most often it develops later in life. It mainly occurs due to the buildup of calcium deposits that narrow the valve, called calcific aortic stenosis. The problem mostly affects older people. Calcium builds up sooner in people born with abnormal aortic or bicuspid valves. Another cause is rheumatic fever, which is rare in the United States. A bicuspid aortic valve has two flaps instead of three. It is the most common congenital heart defect, a heart problem present at birth. It often runs in families.
How doctors diagnose it
A heart murmur, click, or other abnormal sound is almost always heard through a stethoscope. An echocardiogram is the test most often used to diagnose and monitor aortic stenosis. It is an ultrasound that views the heart structures and blood flow. Other tests include an electrocardiogram (ECG), exercise stress testing, and MRI of the heart.
Treatment
Regular checkups may be all that is needed if your symptoms are not severe. Surgery to repair or replace the valve is often done for adults who develop symptoms. Once symptoms such as chest pain, fainting, or shortness of breath start, replacing the valve, with surgery or with TAVR, is the treatment that changes the outcome. The results of valve replacement are often excellent. Even if symptoms are mild, the provider may recommend surgery based on test results. Medicines only ease symptoms and do not fix the narrow valve. They are used to treat symptoms of heart failure or abnormal heart rhythms. These include diuretics (water pills), nitrates, and beta-blockers. In severe aortic stenosis, these medicines must be used carefully so blood pressure does not drop too far.
Replacement used to need open-heart surgery. Now it can sometimes be done through catheters. TAVR, or transcatheter aortic valve replacement, treats aortic stenosis with a new valve made from animal tissue. TAVR has risks. These include bleeding where the catheters were inserted, injury to the kidneys or the heart, and leaking of the new valve. Your healthcare provider may explain the risks and benefits of both TAVR and open-heart surgery. This will help you decide which one is better for your specific needs.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if you have other symptoms of aortic stenosis. These include breathing problems when exercising, weakness, dizziness, and feeling your heartbeat. Also contact your provider right away if you have been diagnosed with this condition and your symptoms get worse or new symptoms develop. Call 911 right away for chest pain that lasts two minutes or more, fainting, or severe shortness of breath or trouble breathing.
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 your pulse and blood pressure, and send you to a cardiologist for an echocardiogram. If a valve problem is diagnosed, they can follow your symptoms over time and coordinate care with the heart team.
Common questions
What causes aortic valve stenosis?
Most often it is a buildup of calcium deposits that narrow the valve. It mostly affects older people. It can also be present from birth, as with a bicuspid valve, or follow rheumatic fever.
Can a narrow valve be opened without surgery?
Sometimes, with a procedure called balloon valvuloplasty. A balloon is placed across the valve and inflated, but the narrowing often occurs again afterward. Some valve replacements are also done through catheters instead of open-heart surgery.
What medicines are used for aortic valve stenosis?
Medicines are used to treat symptoms of heart failure or abnormal heart rhythms. These include diuretics (water pills), nitrates, and beta-blockers.
What is a bicuspid aortic valve?
It is an aortic valve with two flaps, called leaflets, instead of the normal three. Over time it can turn stiff or leaky.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Aortic stenosis
- NHLBI, NIH - Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
- MedlinePlus - Bicuspid aortic valve
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.
