Heart Valve Rejuvination.

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Aortic Valve Stenosis and Stem Cells
by: EJ Morris

Before the heart valve rejuvenation question is addressed.. many people need to know some facts on heart valve stenosis.

Description of Aortic Valve Stenosis

The aortic valve controls blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta and the rest of the body. It opens when the ventricle contracts and closes when the ventricle relaxes.

Aortic stenosis means that the aortic valve has become narrowed. The result is that the left ventricle must squeeze harder to get a sufficient amount of blood through the aortic valve with each beat. (Imagine trying to push the same amount of water through a small syringe needle as through a hose). The increased work load makes the muscle of the left ventricle grow thicker (hypertrophy). Eventually the heart muscle cannot keep up with the work load and begins to fail.

Causes of Aortic Valve Stenosis

The three major causes of aortic stenosis are calcific degeneration or deposits of calcium on the valve (primarily affects the elderly), congenital abnormality with only two instead of three cusps, and rheumatic fever. Even in the case of a congenital defect, symptoms are most likely to occur only in adulthood.

Aortic stenosis can occur at any age (because the causes are different) but is usually asymptomatic until middle or old age.

The condition is three times more common in men than women.

Symptoms of Aortic Valve Stenosis

Aortic stenosis does not always cause symptoms immediately, even though the valve can be tight. When the heart begins to fail, symptoms of congestive heart failure can develop including fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath with exercise or at night, and swelling in the ankles.

Other symptoms associated with aortic stenosis are angina (chest pain) and fainting upon exertion (syncope).

Characteristic signs include a heart murmur heard with a stethoscope.

Heart Valve Rejuvination.

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