How Long Can You Live With Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis?

Aortic valve stenosis is a pretty serious condition and should be treated as soon as possible. Such a condition is known to cause sudden death because of the blockage present in the aortic valve. According to research, patients with severe aortic valve stenosis who do not undergo any treatment can undergo sudden death in a span of two to three years. Surgery and medical treatment is seen to improve the life expectancy, increasing it up to 10 to 15 years of time after surgery.

With the medical advancement, today the doctors have come up with numerous surgical methods to treat aortic valve stenosis. They include-

Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery: One of the most common methods for severe aortic valve stenosis is the aortic valve replacement surgery. In simple terms, the valve which has been damaged due to blockage is basically replace with a new valve with is artificial. It is primarily as open heart surgery.

Balloon Valvuloplasty: Another method doctors are seen to follow for severe aortic valve stenosis is the balloon valvuloplasty. In this the aortic valve is not really replaced, but the opening of the narrowed valve is made larger through a minimally invasive procedure.

Bypass Surgery: Sometimes the doctor may ask the patient for undergoing tests to confirm if there are any blockages in the coronary arteries. In case of serious blockages in the same along with aortic valve, the doctor may go for bypass surgery for the arteries along with aortic valve replacement. This saves the patient from undergoing surgeries various times.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A new method which is used at present is the transcatheter aortic valve replacement. In contrast to the open heart surgery for severe aortic valve stenosis, it is a minimally invasive process. The procedure includes insertion of a catheter in the blood vessel in order to replace the valve of the aorta with an artificial valve, which is specially designed. Such a procedure may not be suitable for everyone. It is up to the doctor as well as the availability of the procedure in the hospital.

The medications given do not really treat the aortic valve blockage caused due to the aortic valve stenosis, but help deal with the condition effectively by managing other complications:

Blood Thinners: Medicines like blood thinners are given to patients with severe aortic valve stenosis in order to prevent the problem of blood clotting. Also, blood thinners reduce the pressure on the blood vessels so that blood can easily pass through the blocked arteries and aorta.

Antibiotics: Antibiotics are another family of medications prescribed to the patient in order to prevent infections causing in the heart. One of the most common forms of infection which a patient with aortic valve stenosis is prone to is called endocarditis. Antibiotics prevent such injections from occurring.

No Smoking, Drinking: Patients with severe aortic valve stenosis must limit smoking and alcohol consumption as much as possible. It would be more beneficial if a patient succeeds to quit smoking.

Little Exercise: The patient should be active and indulge himself in exercise of moderate intensity. However, it should be remembered that strenuous exercise must be avoided as it may affect the condition of the blood vessels. Thus it is important to talk to the doctor about the exercise plan.

Nourishing Diet: A heart healthy and balanced diet should be eaten by the patient with severe aortic valve stenosis. Care must be taken to avoid excessive oily and fatty food.

Weight Management: The patient of severe aortic valve stenosis should take care about his weight as obesity lead to various heart problems and blood pressure.

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