Symptoms of aortic stenosis

In sedentary patients, even with severe stenosis, there may be no symptoms.

The classical symptoms are:

• dyspnoea:
  • the raised filling pressure of the hypertrophied left ventricular raises the left atrial pressure and hence the pressure in the pulmonary vein
  • may occur late in the disease
    
    
• angina of effort:
  • occurs when coronary blood flow is inadequate for the hypertrophied myocardium
  • it is rare for angina at rest to occur (unless there is coincidental coronary heart disease)
    
    
• syncope or dizziness:
  • may occur with exertion due to a low cardiac output and peripheral vasodilatation
  • syncope not associated with exertion may be due to arrhythmias