Heart Health
What is a bicuspid aortic valve?
Ask the Doctor
My primary care doctor referred me to a cardiologist, and I just found out that I have a bicuspid aortic valve. What does that mean for me?People with a bicuspid aortic valve have a higher-than-average risk of developing a condition called aortic stenosis—in which the valve becomes stiff and narrowed—that usually produces a heart murmur. A more serious problem that can occur is a bulge or swelling in the wall of the aorta, called an aortic aneurysm. It usually happens in the thoracic aorta, the part of the aorta that passes through the upper chest. Very rarely, the aorta can tear or burst, which is often fatal. However, surgery to replace the valve (and sometimes part of the aorta) can prevent these problems.
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