Aortic Stenosis

[John A.]

I am A 55 year old male. Last month oct.15 1999 I had an echocardiogram that showed aortic stenosis. I had A second echocardigram Nov.10 1999 by a different doctor it showed echo at the CCF AVA 0.7sq cm mean gradient mean gradient 35 mm Hg.                                                                                                                               My question is how does 0.7sq cm compare to normal? the doctor said i would need a valve replacment within a year or two.the only symptomes i have is shortness of breath, but i have been a heavy smoker (1 to 1 and 1/2 packs of cigarettes per day) for 40 years. how low can the sq cm go, before i will start having, the symptomes i am suppose to have with this condition, and how fast does this progress?

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

A valve area of 0.7 is a severe degree of aortic stenosis. Normal should be well over 2. The rate of progression tends to accelerate the tighter the degree of stenosis. You may already be having symptoms, such as shortness of breath, but your lung disease may make it difficult to determine which disease is causing which symptoms.

[John A.]

I would like to know if high blood pressure is a symptom of aortic stenosis?

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

No, it is not.