Patient/caregiver was instructed regarding complications of aortic stenosis as follows:
- Heart failure: Increased back-up of blood with valve disorder can result in increased blood volume and pressure in heart, enlargement of the heart, progressive weakening of heart muscle, and heart failure. Patients can present with symptoms of heart failure, such as, fluid retention in the chest leading to difficulty in gas exchange in the lungs, swelling of the extremities with pitting edema, and grossly limited exercise tolerance with exacerbation of episodes of shortness of breath.
- Arrhythmia: Damaged heart muscle, secondary to poor blood and oxygen supply, can lead to palpitations and arrhythmias. Individuals with history of arrhythmia can be at increased risk for presentation with fluttering in the chest and abnormal heartbeat.
- Blood clot formation: Compromised heart function with fluid back-up, in individuals with valvular disease, can increase the risk for blood clot formation. These blood clots floating in circulation can be deposited in any vital organ as emboli, obstruct the blood flow, and can result in serious complications such as myocardial infarction and stroke.
