Aortic stenosis

In aortic stenosis, the heart's main outlet valve does not open properly, making the left ventricle pump harder. Regular echocardiograms are important because symptoms may be absent for a long time; new breathlessness, chest pain, dizziness or fainting on exertion may indicate severe narrowing and need prompt cardiology assessment.

• Gradually reduced fitness, tiring more easily or becoming breathless with activity that used to be manageable.
• Chest pressure, pain or tightness, especially on exertion, because the thickened heart muscle needs more oxygen.
• Record which activities cause breathlessness, chest pressure or dizziness, and report deterioration without waiting for the next routine echocardiogram.
• Exercise within the level agreed with your cardiologist and stop for pain, near-fainting or unusually severe breathlessness; do not test your limits alone.
• Call the same day for new or increasing breathlessness, chest pain or pressure, dizziness, near-fainting or a clear reduction in exercise capacity.
• For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.
• Persistent chest pain, fainting during exertion, severe breathlessness at rest, cold sweat or a grey complexion may mean the heart is failing to meet the body's needs.