Diagnosis and Screening for Aortic Valve Stenosis
Introduction: Diagnosing Aortic Valve Stenosis (AVS) involves various tests and screenings to assess the severity of the condition and determine the most appropriate treatment. Let’s explore how doctors diagnose AVS in simple terms.
1. Physical Examination
During a physical exam, your doctor may listen to your heart using a stethoscope to detect any abnormal heart sounds, such as a heart murmur, which can indicate AVS.
2. Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram is a non-invasive test that uses sound waves to create images of the heart. It can provide detailed information about the structure and function of the heart valves, helping doctors diagnose AVS and assess its severity.
3. Doppler Ultrasound
Doppler ultrasound is often performed alongside an echocardiogram to measure the speed and direction of blood flow through the heart and blood vessels. This test can help determine if blood flow is obstructed due to AVS.
4. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
An ECG records the electrical activity of the heart and can help detect abnormal heart rhythms or signs of heart muscle thickening, which may occur in individuals with AVS.
5. Cardiac Catheterization
In some cases:a cardiac catheterization may be performed to obtain more detailed information about the heart’s structure and function. During this procedure, a thin tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel and guided to the heart, where dye is injected to visualize the coronary arteries and heart chambers.
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