Watchful Waiting for Aortic Valve Disease

If you have been diagnosed with mild or moderate forms of aortic valve stenosis or aortic valve regurgitation, your NYU Langone doctor may recommend monitoring the condition over time for any changes, which is called watchful waiting. With mild forms of these conditions, a person typically has few or no symptoms.

During this time, you may have an echocardiogram once a year to check the health of your aorta and heart. If your condition worsens, treatment begins immediately to prevent damage to the heart. You may need surgery or, for aortic valve stenosis, nonsurgical transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

If you experience more severe symptoms of aortic valve stenosis or aortic valve regurgitation, including chest pain, fainting, heart palpitations, or shortness of breath, contact your doctor, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.