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Speak with your GP

It’s important to identify aortic stenosis as early as possible in order to improve your long-term health. If you are feeling overly tired, breathless or lightheaded, or you are concerned about any other symptoms you are experiencing, speak with your doctor and ask for a heart health check.

Resources

We’ve developed some helpful resources to help you start the conversation with your doctor.

Symptom tracker                             

Discussion guide                              

Patient booklet                                 

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About your heart

The heart is a vital organ that pumps oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body.1 A healthy heart beats around 100,000 times a day. The heart has four chambers through which blood is pumped with the help of four heart valves. The valves open when the heart pumps to allow blood to flow through.2 They close quickly between heartbeats to make sure blood does not flow backwards.2

Anatomical heart showing the aortic valve

The aortic valve controls the flow of blood as it exits the heart and is pumped to the rest of the body.2

Anatomical heart showing the pulmonary valve.
Number 2

The pulmonary valve controls the flow of blood to the lungs to get oxygen.2

Anatomical Heart showing the tricuspid valve
Number 3

The tricuspid valve controls blood flow as it movesbetween the chambers on the right side of your heart.2

Anatomical heart showing the mitral valve
Number 4

The mitral valve controls blood flow as it moves between the chambers on the left side of your heart.2

What is Aortic Stenosis?

Aortic stenosis occurs when the heart’s aortic valve does not open properly, reducing the flow of blood as it exits the heart and is pumped to the rest of the body. It causes the heart to work harder, and can lead to tiredness, shortness of breath, fatigue and heart palpitations (heart flutters).3-5 Left untreated, aortic stenosis can result in heart failure and possibly death.3-5

Healthy Aorta

Healthy aortic valve

In a healthy aortic valve, three thin leaflets open and close properly.

Stenoic Aorta

Diseased aortic valve

In a diseased (stenotic) valve, the leaflets become stiff and thickened, limiting the amount of blood pumped out of the body.

Signs and Symptoms
  • Chest pain or tightness
  • Dizziness
  • Tiredness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Rapid or fluttering heartbeat
  • Swollen ankles or feet
  • Difficulty sleeping
Causes
  • Age
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Calcium build-up
  • Radiation therapy
  • Infection of the heart

It’s always important to listen to the messages your body is sending you. 

Use this symptom tracker to record any symptoms you have noticed and bring it to your next appointment to review with your doctor.

Treatment Options

Treatment options for aortic stenosis will depend in part on the severity of your condition. Mild aortic stenosis can be managed with regular observation and medications.4 If your aortic stenosis becomes more severe, you may need to have your aortic valve replaced.4

TAVI procedure Icon

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)

A minimally invasive procedure to replace the aortic valve via a catheter inserted into the leg or chest.

SAVR procedure icon

Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR)

Open-heart surgery to remove the damaged valve and replace it with an artificial valve.

Real Patient Stories

Richard

​This testimonial relates a genuine account of an individual’s response to the treatment, and does not provide any indication, guide, warranty or guarantee as to the response other persons may have to the treatment. Responses to the treatment may vary. Always consult your healthcare professional for a full list of benefits, indications, precautions, clinical results, and other important medical information that pertains to the therapy or products discussed.

Suzanne

​This testimonial relates a genuine account of an individual’s response to the treatment, and does not provide any indication, guide, warranty or guarantee as to the response other persons may have to the treatment. Responses to the treatment may vary. Always consult your healthcare professional for a full list of benefits, indications, precautions, clinical results, and other important medical information that pertains to the therapy or products discussed.

Malcolm

​This testimonial relates a genuine account of an individual’s response to the treatment, and does not provide any indication, guide, warranty or guarantee as to the response other persons may have to the treatment. Responses to the treatment may vary. Always consult your healthcare professional for a full list of benefits, indications, precautions, clinical results, and other important medical information that pertains to the therapy or products discussed.

Enid

​This testimonial relates a genuine account of an individual’s response to the treatment, and does not provide any indication, guide, warranty or guarantee as to the response other persons may have to the treatment. Responses to the treatment may vary. Always consult your healthcare professional for a full list of benefits, indications, precautions, clinical results, and other important medical information that pertains to the therapy or products discussed.

Yevgeniy

​This testimonial relates a genuine account of an individual’s response to the treatment, and does not provide any indication, guide, warranty or guarantee as to the response other persons may have to the treatment. Responses to the treatment may vary. Always consult your healthcare professional for a full list of benefits, indications, precautions, clinical results, and other important medical information that pertains to the therapy or products discussed.

Speak with your GP

As you get older, you may begin to notice changes to the way your body feels and functions. Often, these changes are a normal part of ageing, but sometimes they are a sign of an underlying health condition, like aortic stenosis. It’s important to pay attention to the messages your body is sending, and to discuss these with your doctor. We’ve developed some helpful resources to help you start a conversation with your GP about aortic stenosis.

 

Woman GP

Symptom tracker

Monitor any signs or symptoms you experience and discuss these with your doctor.

Download

Discussion guide

Get the conversation going with these helpful questions.

Download

Patient booklet

Be informed about your treatment options for aortic stenosis.

Download

 

References: 1. Better health channel. Heart explained. Available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/heart [Accessed December 2021]. 2. Cleveland Clinic. Heart Valves. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/17067-heart-valves [Accessed January 2022] 3. Better health channel. Aortic stenosis. Available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/aortic-stenosis. [Accessed December 2021]. 4. Mayo Clinic. Aortic stenosis. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/aortic-stenosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353139. [Accessed December 2021]. 5. American Heart Foundation. Aortic Stenosis Overview. Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-valve-problems-and-disease/heart-valve-problems-and-causes/problem-aortic-valve-stenosis [Accessed December 2021].