Aortic valve regurgitation


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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

Often, aortic valve regurgitation isn't a preventable condition, though there are steps you can take to protect your aortic valve from damage, including:

  • Treat your sore throat. One possible way to prevent aortic valve regurgitation is to prevent rheumatic fever. You can do this by making sure you see your doctor when you have a sore throat. Untreated strep throat can develop into rheumatic fever. Fortunately, strep throat is usually easily treated with antibiotics.
  • Take good care of your teeth and gums. Practicing good oral hygiene helps prevent bloodstream infections that can damage your heart valves due to endocarditis.
  • Keep your heart healthy. You may be able to prevent aortic valve regurgitation from high blood pressure by taking care of your cardiovascular system. Getting your blood pressure under control is important because high blood pressure can lead to aortic valve damage and aortic valve regurgitation. High blood pressure can also cause your aorta to stretch out, which pulls the aortic valve leaflets apart and leads to regurgitation.
Lifestyle and home remedies
References
  1. Aortic regurgitation. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/print_presenter.jhtml?identifier=4448. Accessed June 20, 2011.
  2. Rakel RE, et al. Valvular heart disease. In: Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier. 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-1160-8..10027-2--s0310&isbn=978-1-4377-1160-8&uniqId=258746827-3. Accessed June 12, 2011.
  3. O'Gara P, et al. Valvular heart disease. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Online. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies. 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2902425&searchStr=aortic+valve+insufficiency. Accessed June 18, 2011.
  4. Bashore TM, et al. Heart disease. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment. 50th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies. 2011. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3896&searchStr=aortic+valve+insufficiency. Accessed June 18, 2011.
  5. Congestive heart failure. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4585. Accessed June 20, 2011.
  6. How the healthy heart works. American Heart Association. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/CongenitalHeartDefects/AboutCongenitalHeartDefects/How-the-Healthy-Heart-Works_UCM_307016_Article.jsp. Accessed June 12, 2011.
  7. Gaasch WH. Pathophysiology and clinical features of chronic aortic regurgitation in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 20, 2011.
  8. Gaasch WH. Course and management of chronic aortic regurgitation in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 20, 2011.
  9. Your guide to a healthy heart. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/your_guide/healthyheart.pdf. Accessed June 21, 2011.
  10. Otto CM. Acute aortic regurgitation in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 20, 2011.
  11. Khawaja MZ, et al. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation for stenosed and regurgitant aortic valve bioprostheses. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2010;55:97.
  12. Grogan M (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 6, 2011.
DS00419 Sept. 22, 2011

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