Cuases of Aortic Stenosis

[WMartens]

I had my aortic valve replaced four years ago with a St. Judes device at age 44. So far no real problems as I've learned to protect myself and deal with some physical limitations of taking Coumadin.
However, I would like to find the cause of the stenosis that damaged the valve in the first place.  As a military member on flying status for many years I had many very thorough physicals that never detected any murmur or other damage. Then, while stationed in south america I became very sick with a viral or bacterial infection that had me in and outof the hospital for many months even resulting in loss of vision in one eye.  Eventually well, I thought nothing of it until two years later for a physical a severe murmur was discovered. I'd never had any hint of a murmur previously.
Is it possible a severe infection could cause the damage to start?  Initial echo's discovered the valve to be a normal tricuspid but at removal it was so damaged and all but closed (.4cm dia.) it waas hard to tell. Any information is most appreciated.

[kenkeith]

A heart valve may also become damaged during life, due to infection, connective tissue disorders such as hypertension, heart attack, or simply aging.