Is a bicuspid aortic valve genetic?

Is a bicuspid aortic valve genetic?

A bicuspid aortic valve can run in families. If a close family member (parent, child or sibling) has this heart defect, talk with your healthcare provider. They may want to run some tests to check your heart anatomy and function.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve and are planning a pregnancy, talk with your provider. You can’t prevent this defect from happening, but you can monitor your pregnancy and try to diagnose any problems early.

Research will continue to explore the role of genetic mutations in causing bicuspid aortic valve disease. It seems to be an inherited heart defect, but researchers don’t yet fully understand the details.