Aortic Bicuspid valve

  Hi,
  My boyfriend is 19 and was diagnosed with aortic bicuspid valve last year.
  I would like to know more about it.  What is it exactly?  How serious is it?
  What can be done to make sure it does not get worse?  How often does it need
  to be checked out?  Can a person with BAV lead a normal lifestyle? Should
  this person follow a certain diet? etc. etc.  I have so many questions and
  know so little about this disorder that I'm not sure what exactly to ask
  about.  My boyfriend's doctor said he was totally healthy except for this.
  Thanks for your help I will greatly appreciate it!!  
  Nathalie

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear Nathalie,
The aortic valve is the valve that separates the left ventricle from the aorta.  It is made of 3 leaflets or flaps that look like an peace symbol when the valve is closed.  A biscuspid aortic valve means that there are 2 leaflets instead of the usual 3.  A unicuspid valve means there is only one leaflet.   Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common congenital anomaly of the heart.  These valves are functional at birth and remain so throughout a normal life span.  There is a increased predisposition to progress to stenosis (narrowing) as an older adult (60-70