Hi,
With age, heart valves may accumulate deposits of calcium and may lead to aortic valve calcification. As blood repeatedly flows over the aortic valve, deposits of calcium can accumulate on the valve's leaflets. Having high cholesterol also contributes to degenerative changes of the aortic valve. In some people, calcium deposits result in stiffened leaflets of the valve. This stiffening narrows the aortic valve. This cause of aortic valve stenosis is most common in people older than 60, and symptoms often don't appear until age 70 or 80.
Other causes of aortic valve stenosis or narrowing of the aortic valve are: congenital heart defects, rheumatic fever, radiation and medications. This can be a serious condition because it can weaken the heart. If the aortic valve is narrowed, the left ventricle has to work harder to pump a sufficient amount of blood into the aorta and onward to the rest of your body. In response, the left ventricle may thicken and enlarge.
Lifestyle modification as mentioned above is highly recommended. Regular follow-up to your doctor will help in monitoring. Take care and keep us posted.
Have you had an angiogram? If not, you need to do so. There may be other valves that are not showing up as bad on an echocardiogram. My mom's doctors thought that she only had two valves to replace and after the angiogram it showed three valves and three main arteries clogged. She only had days to live without surgery.
Stop smoking, stop drinking and eat a healthy diet with very little salt. Reduce your fat and if you can stop eating red meat. Reduce your stress if possible.
We have 12 people in our family with heart disease. We have been through this over and over.
There is a procedure where doctors shunt off of the aorta valve when the aorta cannot be replaced. I will be finding out about this soon, as my mother will need it in the coming days, weeks, or months.
Take care.