What are the symptoms of a bicuspid aortic valve?

What are the symptoms of a bicuspid aortic valve?

You may not have any symptoms of a bicuspid aortic valve. You could live many years without even knowing your anatomy is different. But over time, you may develop symptoms of aortic regurgitation or stenosis. If your child has a bicuspid aortic valve, you may notice symptoms soon after birth (in severe cases). But it’s more likely that you won’t notice them until later on.

Symptoms in adults include:

• Fatigue (most common).
• Chest pain or discomfort.
• Dizziness or fainting.
• Heart palpitations.
• Shortness of breath, especially with activity.

Symptoms in infants and children include:

• Becoming tired easily.
• Chest pain.
• Fainting.
• Pale skin.
• Trouble breathing.
• Trouble with feeding or gaining weight.

Many people don’t realize they have a bicuspid aortic valve until it’s diagnosed through medical testing. That’s because symptoms are easy to miss. Your family may notice a change before you do. One helpful tip is to think about how much activity you can do in a typical day. Compare it with one year ago, or even six months ago. Do you get tired more easily? Do you need more time to rest? If so, that may signal your heart is working harder to keep up.

That’s why it’s so important to keep up with your medical appointments. Talk with your healthcare provider about any changes you notice in your daily life.