In time, the ventricle gets larger and fluid backs up. Symptoms may include Shortness of breath. Chest pain that gets worse with exercise and goes away with rest. Swelling in the ankles. Fast or fluttering pulse.
Severe cases can lead to heart failure.
In most of these cases, the aortic valve will eventually need to be replaced to fix the backflow of blood into the left ventricle. Aortic Stenosis Aortic stenosis is a narrowing or blockage of the aortic valve. The aorta is the main blood supplier to the rest of the body. Aortic stenosis happens when the valve leaflets become coated with deposits that change their shape and reduce blood flow through the valve. The left ventricle has to work harder to make up for the reduced blood flow.