Health and Me

Dr. Praveen Chandra

Aortic Stenosis: Recognizing the Warning Signs and the Lifesaving Role of TAVI

Mr. Patil, 68, a retired professor, began noticing subtle changes in his health that he initially dismissed. Climbing even a short flight of stairs left him unusually tired, and at times his heartbeat felt irregular. He assumed these were simply part of getting older, but when the tightness in his chest persisted, he decided to see a doctor. He was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis, a condition in which the heart’s aortic valve becomes narrowed, making it harder for blood to flow through the heart.

Aortic stenosis develops slowly over time. Calcium builds up on the aortic valve, making it stiff and narrow. As a result, the heart exerts greater force to maintain adequate blood flow throughout the body. This extra effort weakens the heart, and if not treated, it can lead to heart failure or even a sudden collapse.

Over the years, aortic stenosis can steadily progress, often without obvious warning signs. Studies from major heart centers in India reveal it is the third most common heart valve disease, affecting over seven percent of adults over 65. As India’s population ages, experts expect these numbers to keep rising. 

The challenge is that early signs often go unnoticed. breathlessness, tiredness, chest discomfort, swollen ankles, or feeling faint are often mistaken for normal aging or low stamina. But these symptoms are actually indicating that the heart is struggling to pump blood through a narrowed valve. Without timely diagnosis and treatment, these symptoms usually get worse, making daily routines more tiring. 

Many people don’t realise that aortic stenosis doesn't resolve on its own. It keeps getting worse over time.Medicines may help for a while, but they cannot prevent the valve from narrowing further. The only lasting solution is to replace the damaged valve so the heart can pump normally again. 

A few years ago, standard treatment for aortic stenosis involved open-heart surgery, which could be risky for the elderly or people living with co- morbid conditions. Now, advances in heart care have made things safer and simpler. Today, procedures like Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) allow doctors to replace the valve using a thin tube inserted through a small incision. Hence, with TAVI there is no need to open the chest and with a minimally invasive procedure recovery is faster and discomfort is minimal.

Mr. Patil underwent the same procedure and felt better and returned to his daily life within a few days. Moreover, modern techniques such as TAVI helps in preventing calcium buildup, enabling valves to work better. His story reminds us that symptoms in older adults should not be ignored. Sometimes, it is not just aging; it is the heart asking for help.  

A simple stethoscope check can detect problems early and give your loved ones the chance to live a longer, healthier, and more active life. Hence, if you or your loved ones experience any of these early signs and symptoms, it's strongly recommended to consult a doctor for faster diagnosis.  

<ul> Pujari SH, Agasthi P. Aortic Stenosis. [Updated 2023 Apr 16]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557628/ </ul>

<li>Kumar, Vijay, et al. “Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation for Severe Bicuspid Aortic Stenosis – 2 Years Follow up Experience From India.” Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, vol. 9, Jul. 2022. Frontiers, https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2022.817705. </li><li> Harris C, Croce B, Munkholm-Larsen S. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Ann Cardiothorac Surg. 2017 Sep;6(5):568. </li>

<li>Vinayak M, Leone PP, Tanner R, Dhulipala V, Camaj A, Makhija RRK, Hooda A, Kini AS, Sharma SK, Khera S. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Current Status and Future Indications. J Clin Med. 2024 Jan 10;13(2):373. </li>

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Mr. Patil, 68, a retired professor, began noticing subtle changes in his health that he initially dismissed. Climbing even a short flight of stairs left him unusually tired, and at times his heartbeat felt irregular. He assumed these were simply part of getting older, but when the tightness in his chest persisted, he decided to see a doctor. He was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis, a condition in which the heart’s aortic valve becomes narrowed, making it harder for blood to flow through the heart. Aortic stenosis develops slowly over time. Calcium builds up on the aortic valve, making it stiff and narrow. As a result, the heart exerts greater force to maintain adequate blood flow throughout the body. This extra effort weakens the heart, and if not treated, it can lead to heart failure or even a sudden collapse.Over the years, aortic stenosis can steadily progress, often without obvious warning signs. Studies from major heart centers in India reveal it is the third most common heart valve disease, affecting over seven percent of adults over 65. As India’s population ages, experts expect these numbers to keep rising. The challenge is that early signs often go unnoticed. breathlessness, tiredness, chest discomfort, swollen ankles, or feeling faint are often mistaken for normal aging or low stamina. But these symptoms are actually indicating that the heart is struggling to pump blood through a narrowed valve. Without timely diagnosis and treatment, these symptoms usually get worse, making daily routines more tiring. Many people don’t realise that aortic stenosis doesn't resolve on its own. It keeps getting worse over time.Medicines may help for a while, but they cannot prevent the valve from narrowing further. The only lasting solution is to replace the damaged valve so the heart can pump normally again. A few years ago, standard treatment for aortic stenosis involved open-heart surgery, which could be risky for the elderly or people living with co- morbid conditions. Now, advances in heart care have made things safer and simpler. Today, procedures like Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) allow doctors to replace the valve using a thin tube inserted through a small incision. Hence, with TAVI there is no need to open the chest and with a minimally invasive procedure recovery is faster and discomfort is minimal.Mr. Patil underwent the same procedure and felt better and returned to his daily life within a few days. Moreover, modern techniques such as TAVI helps in preventing calcium buildup, enabling valves to work better. His story reminds us that symptoms in older adults should not be ignored. Sometimes, it is not just aging; it is the heart asking for help.  A simple stethoscope check can detect problems early and give your loved ones the chance to live a longer, healthier, and more active life. Hence, if you or your loved ones experience any of these early signs and symptoms, it's strongly recommended to consult a doctor for faster diagnosis.   Reference:   Pujari SH, Agasthi P. Aortic Stenosis. [Updated 2023 Apr 16]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557628/ Kumar, Vijay, et al. “Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation for Severe Bicuspid Aortic Stenosis – 2 Years Follow up Experience From India.” Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, vol. 9, Jul. 2022. Frontiers, https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2022.817705.  Harris C, Croce B, Munkholm-Larsen S. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Ann Cardiothorac Surg. 2017 Sep;6(5):568. Vinayak M, Leone PP, Tanner R, Dhulipala V, Camaj A, Makhija RRK, Hooda A, Kini AS, Sharma SK, Khera S. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Current Status and Future Indications. J Clin Med. 2024 Jan 10;13(2):373. 