What is a common consequence of untreated aortic stenosis?

Aortic stenosis is a condition characterized by the narrowing of the aortic valve, which impedes blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. When this condition goes untreated, one of the most significant and common consequences is heart failure.

As the aortic valve becomes increasingly narrowed, the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the restricted opening. Over time, this increased workload can lead to hypertrophy, or thickening, of the heart muscle, particularly the left ventricle. This ventricular hypertrophy eventually results in decreased efficiency of the heart's pumping ability, which can progress to heart failure. Symptoms of heart failure include fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid retention, which can severely impact quality of life.

Although stroke, myocardial infarction, and severe hypotension are serious conditions that can arise from various cardiovascular issues, heart failure directly stems from the increased strain on the heart due to prolonged untreated aortic stenosis. Therefore, heart failure stands out as the most common and impactful consequence of this condition.