Aortic Stenosis Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Aortic stenosis does not always produce symptoms. However, if symptoms do occur, they may include the following:

• Extreme fatigue after exercise or exertion
• Fainting with exercise or exertion
• Chest pain, such as squeezing, pressure, or tightness
• Sensation of rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Neurological symptoms of a stroke or mini-stroke

In rare cases, aortic stenosis can cause sudden death with no previous symptoms.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. The doctor may be alerted to aortic stenosis by the following:

• Abnormal chest sounds, such as a heart murmur or click
• Noticeable chest heave or vibration when the doctor's hand is held over your heart

To confirm the diagnosis, tests may include:

• Chest x-ray —a test that uses radiation to take pictures of structures inside the chest
• Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG)—a test that records the heart's activity by measuring electrical currents through the heart muscle; it may show signs of heart strain or enlargement.
• Echocardiogram —a test that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to examine the size, shape, and motion of the heart
• Cardiac Catheterization —an x-ray of the heart's circulation that is done after injection of a contrast dye