Aortic regurgitation

goodtoknow says: Aortic regurgitation (leaky valve) is a heart condition when your aortic valve, which sends blood from your heart round your body, doesn't close correctly, causing blood to leak back. You can have this from birth, or it may be triggered by illness such as rheumatic fever, or an infection of the heart valve. If the problem is mild it won't put too much strain on your heart and can go untreated, but medication or surgery may be needed if it's more severe and you experience chest pain, dizziness, a racing heart or heart failure.

For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of aortic regurgitation, read on.

Aortic regurgitation is where blood leaks back through the aortic valve as the valve does not close properly. With each heartbeat, more blood than usual enters the left ventricle and so it needs to work harder. Mild regurgitation may not cause symptoms. More severe regurgitation can cause symptoms and may lead to heart failure. Medication can help to ease symptoms. Surgery to replace the valve may be needed.