West Central PA News

As individuals age, calcium buildup on the aortic valve can cause it to become thicker and stiffer, leading to a condition known as aortic stenosis. This condition can also be caused by congenital heart defects, rheumatic fever, bacterial infections of the heart valves, radiation therapy, and high blood pressure. If not treated, aortic stenosis may lead to heart failure.

“The aortic valve is a stop valve that allows blood to be pumped to the rest of the body,” explained Forozan Navid, MD, a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon at Penn Highlands Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery in DuBois. “When the valve stops working properly, valve repair or replacement is needed.”

The American Heart Association notes that many people with this condition do not experience symptoms until blood flow is significantly restricted. Symptoms include fatigue, heart palpitations, swelling of feet or legs, chest pain that may extend to other parts of the body, shortness of breath, and dizziness.

“Depending on the individual, aortic valve stenosis can progress slowly over several years,” said Dr. Navid. “If treatment is delayed, irreversible heart damage may occur and risk of sudden death increases.”

Diagnosis involves various tests such as chest X-rays, echocardiograms (using sound waves), electrocardiograms (EKG), stress tests, CT scans, MRI scans, and sometimes cardiac catheterization.

For those without symptoms or with mild symptoms, regular monitoring might be recommended. An echocardiogram is essential for assessing treatment options which could include medication for mild cases or more advanced procedures like valve replacement or Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implementation (TAVR).

Valve replacement involves replacing the damaged valve with one made from durable materials. TAVR offers an alternative for patients who are not candidates for open-heart surgery due to its risks; it involves placing a new valve via catheter through the femoral artery.

Outside Pennsylvania’s major cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia where these procedures are commonly available in specialized facilities like Penn Highlands DuBois which boasts state-of-the-art operating rooms designed specifically for TAVR.

Penn Highlands Healthcare provides skilled care through their team of interventional cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons aiming for minimally invasive treatments whenever possible. More information can be found at www.phhealthcare.org/cardiacsurgery.