Aortic Stenosis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, and Natural Approaches

Almost one-third of U.S. adults 65 and older have this heart valve disorder that impedes blood flow from the heart.

Aortic stenosis is a heart valve disorder that restricts blood flow from the heart. Illustration by Fei Meng

Aortic stenosis is a heart valve disorder that causes the aortic valve opening to narrow, hindering blood flow out of the heart. The condition makes the heart work much harder, causing damage over time and, if left untreated, can eventually lead to death.

According to the American Heart Association, aortic stenosis is one of the most common and severe heart valve problems. About 29 percent of people 65 years and older have it, and 2 percent to 9 percent of those over 75 have a severe case.