What is aortic regurgitation?
Aortic regurgitation, or aortic insufficiency, is a type of heart valve disease. Your aortic valve is found in your body’s main artery (aorta) and has flaps (cusps or leaflets) that open and close to allow oxygen-rich blood to move from your heart’s left ventricle to the rest of your body. In aortic regurgitation, the flaps don’t close tightly and some blood leaks back into your heart. This makes your left ventricle work harder to pump your blood, which causes it to become enlarged and weak.
Over time, aortic regurgitation can lead to heart failure, but treatment can prevent this from happening. At Penn Medicine’s Aorta Center, our specialists are among the top experts in the world in aortic conditions. We use advanced diagnostic tests to perform a thorough evaluation of your heart and aortic valves, and we create a treatment plan to reduce your symptoms and prevent complications.
Symptoms of aortic regurgitation
When your heart first starts compensating for the leaky aortic valve, you may not notice any symptoms. As the condition worsens, aortic regurgitation can cause:
- Chest pain that gets worse with physical activity
- Fatigue with increased activity
- Shortness of breath, especially when lying down or after being active
- Swollen ankles and feet
- Fainting or lightheadedness
- A fast, fluttering heartbeat (heart palpitations)
- An abnormal heart sound heard through a stethoscope (heart murmur)
What causes aortic regurgitation?
People who are born with certain heart conditions can develop aortic regurgitation, including those born with an aortic valve with two flaps instead of three, known as a bicuspid aortic valve.
In other cases, aortic regurgitation can develop later in life due to health conditions. If you have aortic stenosis, calcium buildup on the aortic valve can cause the valve to narrow, preventing it from opening and closing properly. Aortic regurgitation can also be caused by endocarditis, Marfan syndrome, lupus, or a serious physical injury that damages the structure of your aortic valve. Rarely, untreated strep throat can lead to rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, which damages the heart valves and can lead to a leaky aortic valve.
How is aortic regurgitation diagnosed?
To diagnose aortic regurgitation, your doctor will give you a physical exam, take your blood pressure, and listen to your heart to check for a heart murmur. They may recommend tests that record your heart’s electrical signals or that take images of your heart, aorta, and aortic valve.
Aortic regurgitation treatment options
For mild aortic regurgitation, your health care team will monitor your condition and conduct tests regularly. Your doctor may recommend medication or lifestyle changes. If aortic regurgitation progresses, your cardiologist may recommend repairing your aortic valve with surgery.
Preventing aortic regurgitation
Aortic regurgitation can’t always be prevented, especially if you were born with a heart valve disease. But making these lifestyle changes may help lower your risk of heart problems, including aortic insufficiency:
- Exercise regularly and eat a heart-healthy diet
- Control high blood pressure
- Avoid tobacco products and recreational drugs
- Maintain good oral health to prevent endocarditis
- Visit your doctor right away if you develop an infection
Excellence in aortic regurgitation care
Our specialists are international leaders in heart valve disease treatment, and we have one of the largest heart valve programs in our region. When you come here for your care, a team of expert providers will create an individualized treatment plan based on your needs. If valve repair is recommended, our surgeons have the expertise to perform complex surgeries that other local health systems don’t offer. You can trust that we’ll provide the most effective treatments available.
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Patient stories
Father and son undergo bicuspid aortic valve surgery
“If you have surgery at Penn,” said Tyler Schumacher, “know you are at one of the best hospitals in the country. The care doesn’t get better than what I received.” Tyler and his dad both had heart valve surgery for their shared genetic heart valve condition.
Lifesaving care for ascending aortic aneurysm
“This whole experience has been life-changing, not just for me but for my family members.”
Heart valve treatment, delivered with heart
“The entire process was outstanding, ” said Nancy Holland. I had a nurse navigator who helped me line up all of my tests and appointments. I always knew what was going on. Dr. Tran was so kind and thorough and made sure I really understood what was happening.”
Back on the dance floor
“The cardiac care at Doylestown Health is phenomenal,” said Norma McPeak, who underwent heart failure treatment at 85. “Everyone is so kind!” Being close to home also allowed visits from her extended family during her preoperative inpatient stay.