Aortic Regurgitation

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Aortic regurgitation (ree-GER-jih-ta-shun) (AR) happens when blood flows backward from the aorta into the left ventricle (VEN-trih-kull). Aortic regurgitation is also known as aortic insufficiency (AI) (in-suh-FIH-shun-c). The atria and ventricles are chambers (rooms) in the heart. There are valves (doors) between the chambers. The aortic valve is the door between the left ventricle and the aorta. Care for aortic regurgitation includes tests to watch for worsening valve disease, medicines, and diet changes. Many people with aortic regurgitation may need aortic valve surgery in time.
  
  
• The most common reasons for AR are deformed cusps in the aortic valve that fail to close completely. You may also have been born with 1 or 2 aortic cusps instead of 3. Another reason for aortic regurgitation is an aortic valve that has gotten wider. Aortic regurgitation may be caused by diseases such as rheumatic (rew-MAH-tik) fever or infective endocarditis (end-o-kar-DI-tis). Problems in the aorta may cause the aorta to narrow. This can cause aortic regurgitation by forcing the blood to back up into the left ventricle. There are several other, less common causes of aortic regurgitation.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

• When you make doctor or dentist visits, remind them that you have aortic regurgitation. You may need to take antibiotics before and after having dental work, surgery, and some procedures. Antibiotics help kill any germs that may get into your blood and infect your aortic valve.
  
  
• Carry a card in your wallet or purse that tells about your heart problems. On the back of the card list all medicines you are taking. This information will help caregivers if you ever have an emergency.
  
  
• If you had rheumatic fever in the past you may be given antibiotics (an-ti-bi-AH-tiks) every 3 weeks or once a month.

Diuretics:

This medicine is given to decrease edema (excess fluid) that collects in a part of your body, such as your legs. Diuretics can also remove excess fluid from around your heart or lungs and decrease your blood pressure. It is often called water pills. You may urinate more often when you take this medicine.

Aspirin to stop blood clots:

Aspirin helps thin the blood to keep blood clots from forming. If you are told to take aspirin, do not take acetaminophen or ibuprofen instead. Do not take more or less aspirin than directed. This medicine makes it more likely for you to bleed or bruise.

Blood thinners:

Blood thinners are medicines that help prevent blood clots from forming. Clots can cause strokes, heart attacks, and death. Blood thinners make it more likely for you to bleed or bruise. If you are taking a blood thinner:

• Watch for bleeding from your gums or nose. Watch for blood in your urine and bowel movements. Use a soft washcloth on your skin and a soft toothbrush on your teeth. This can keep your skin and gums from bleeding. If you shave, use an electric shaver. Do not play contact sports, such as football.
  
  
• Be aware of what medicines you take. Many medicines cannot be used when taking medicine to thin your blood. Tell your dentist and other caregivers that you take blood-thinning medicine. Wear or carry medical alert information that says you are taking this medicine.
  
  
• Take this medicine exactly as your caregiver tells you. Tell your caregiver right away if you forget to take the medicine, or if you take too much. You may need to have regular blood tests while on this medicine. Your caregiver uses these tests to decide how much medicine is right for you.
  
  
• Talk to your caregiver about your diet. This medicine works best when you eat about the same amount of vitamin K every day. Vitamin K is found in green leafy vegetables and other foods, such as cooked peas and kiwifruit.

Heart medicine:

This medicine is given to strengthen or regulate your heartbeat. It also may help your heart in other ways. Talk with your caregiver to find out what your heart medicine is and why you are taking it.

Medical Appointments:

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Good nutrition for your heart:

Get enough calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals to help prevent poor nutrition and muscle wasting. You may be told to eat foods low in cholesterol or sodium (salt). You also may be told to limit saturated and trans fats. Do eat foods that contain healthy fats, such as walnuts, salmon, and canola and soybean oils. Eat foods that help protect the heart, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, nuts, and sources of fiber. Ask what a healthy weight is for you. Set goals to reach and stay at that weight.

How much should I exercise?

You may feel like resting more. Match your activity to the amount of energy you have. Rest when you feel it is needed. Going to bed early and getting up late may also help. If you have shortness of breath or fatigue (feeling tired), you may not be able to do heavy exercise or sports. Ask your caregiver if you have questions about the symptoms of aortic regurgitation.

What should I do about liquids?

Ask your caregiver how much liquid you should drink each day. Good liquids to drink are water, juices, and milk. Limit the amount of caffeine you drink, such as coffee, tea, and soda.

Will I need to have surgery?

You may need surgery if your aortic regurgitation gets worse. In some cases the aortic valve can be repaired, in others, the aortic valve must be replaced. Ask your caregiver for the surgery CareNotes™ handout if you want more information about aortic valve repair or replacement.

What should I do about my weight?

Weighing too much can make the heart work harder. You may need to talk to your caregiver about the best weight loss plan for you.

Wellness Tips:

• Do not smoke: Smoking causes lung cancer and other long-term lung diseases. It increases your risk of many cancer types. Smoking also increases your risk of blood vessel disease, heart attack, and vision disorders. Not smoking may help prevent such symptoms as headaches and dizziness for yourself and those around you. Smokers have shorter lifespans than nonsmokers. Manage your stress: Stress may slow healing and lead to illness. Learn ways to control stress, such as relaxation, deep breathing, and music. Talk to someone about things that upset you. Stay away from people who have colds or the flu. Ask your caregiver if you should get a flu shot. Flu shots help to prevent flu and pneumonia (new-MOAN-yuh). Also try to stay away from large groups of people. Staying out of large crowds decreases your chance of getting sick.
  
  
• For more information about the heart, call:
  • American Heart Association
    7272 Greenville Avenue
    Dallas , TX 75231-4596
    Phone: 1- 800 - 242-8721
    Web Address: http://www.heart.org
    

What should I do if I want to get pregnant?

A woman's heart works harder during pregnancy. Talk to your caregiver if you are a woman with aortic regurgitation and you want to get pregnant. Whether your heart can stand the extra work of pregnancy depends on how bad your aortic regurgitation is and how well your heart pumps. If you get pregnant make sure you tell your pregnancy caregiver that you have aortic regurgitation. It is important to continue to see your heart caregiver regularly during your pregnancy.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• The following signs and symptoms of aortic regurgitation come back or do not get better with treatment:
  
  
  • You feel or hear a forceful heartbeat especially in your head or neck.
    
    
  • Shortness of breath during exercise or activities like climbing stairs.
    
    
  • Shortness of breath when you lie down at night.
    
    
  • Waking up at night coughing or gasping for air.
    
    
  • Fatigue (becoming tired more easily than you used to).
    
    
  • Feeling weak or dizzy or fainting during activity.
  
  
• You have new symptoms that you did not have when you last saw your caregiver.
  
  
• You have any questions or concerns about your illness or medicine.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• Call 911 or an ambulance if you have any signs of a heart attack:
  
  
  • Discomfort in the center of your chest that feels like squeezing, pressure, fullness, or pain, that lasts for more than a few minutes or keeps returning
    
    
  • Discomfort or pain in your back, neck, jaw, stomach, or one or both of your arms
    
    
  • Feeling sick to your stomach
    
    
  • Having trouble breathing
    
    
  • A sudden cold sweat, particularly in combination with chest discomfort or trouble breathing
    
    
  • Feeling very lightheaded or dizzy, particularly in combination with chest discomfort or trouble breathing

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Aortic Regurgitation (Discharge Care)