It’s Topic Tuesday!
- molly56764
- Feb 12
- 2 min read
🫀 Topic Tuesday: Bicuspid Aortic Valve (BAV)
Heart Valve Awareness Month
At Aortic Hope, we talk often about awareness — because awareness truly saves lives.
Did you know that 1–2% of the population is born with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV)?¹
Instead of three leaflets, the aortic valve has two. It’s the most common congenital heart defect — and many people don’t discover it until adulthood.
For some in our community, it was found because of a murmur.
For others, it was discovered after imaging for something completely unrelated.
And for some, it was identified only after a serious aortic event.
💡 Why BAV Awareness Matters
BAV is not just about the valve itself. Over time, it may lead to:
• Aortic stenosis (narrowing)
• Aortic regurgitation (leakage)
• Enlargement of the ascending aorta
• Thoracic aortic aneurysm or dissection²
Research shows that BAV is associated with changes in the aortic wall, which is why monitoring the aorta is just as important as monitoring the valve.³
👨👩👧👦 It Can Run in Families
BAV often has a genetic component. Current guidelines recommend screening first-degree relatives with echocardiography.⁴
If you have BAV, your parents, siblings, and children should consider talking to their physician about screening.
⚠️ Symptoms May Include:
• Shortness of breath
• Chest discomfort
• Fatigue
• Dizziness or fainting
• A heart murmur
Some individuals feel completely fine for years. That’s why regular follow-up and imaging are so important.
❤️ There Is Hope
With proper surveillance, medical management, and when necessary, surgical or transcatheter intervention, long-term outcomes are very good.⁵
At Aortic Hope, we believe:
Knowledge empowers.
Community strengthens.
Early detection protects.
This Heart Valve Awareness Month:
✔ Know your valve
✔ Know your numbers
✔ Know your family history
✔ Encourage screening
✔ Share this post
Because someone you love may not know they have BAV yet.
📚 References
Ward C. Clinical significance of the bicuspid aortic valve. Heart. 2000;83(1):81–85.
Michelena HI, et al. Natural history of asymptomatic patients with bicuspid aortic valve. JAMA. 2008;300(11):1317–1325.
Verma S, Siu SC. Aortic dilatation in patients with bicuspid aortic valve. N Engl J Med. 2014;370:1920–1929.
Otto CM, et al. 2020 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease. Circulation. 2021;143:e72–e227.
ACC/AHA 2020 Guideline Executive Summary. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2021;77(4):450–500.
Comments