Your explaining of Aortic Stenosis is 100% on target! I am 52 years old and was rushed to St. Francis Hospital back in July and had the Aortic Valve replaced. This column just hit the nail on the head explaining what I was feeling. The main side effect for me was shortness of breath. I could not walk 40 feet or a flight of stairs! I would be out of breath and get chest pains that would go away fast, as I rested. I only remember almost fainting twice, both times while playing golf, thank God for the golf cart, as I held onto the cart for dear life. I was also diagnosed with heart block, and a pacemaker was installed in December. After seven and a half months I am finally feeling somewhat better. I occasionally get dizzy, when I bend over, and I am still getting tired as the day progressed. I am walking for 30 minutes on the treadmill and 20 minutes on the stationary bike.

I am 20 years old and I am a rower at a University with aortic stenosis. I had open heart surgery when I was 7 weeks old to repair my bicuspid valve. Just a few weeks ago I had my first MRA done and the doctor notified me that the dilation of the root of my aorta is much greater than originally expected. He strongly suggests I do not continue to row. I have never really experienced a shortness of breath or chest pains out of the ordinary during strenuous activity. In 6 months I will have another MRA to see if rowing in fact does have an effect on my heart. My problem has never had an effect on my life and I am deeply hoping it does not begin now.

I was diagnosed with aortic stenosis 3 years ago when I was 58. It was caused by a bicuspid aortic heart valve. For most of my life I had no symptoms at all. However, after I turned 50, I noticed that I was very tired at the end of the day and also became breathless walking up hills, having to stop several times to recover. (I put this down to being overweight and unfit. and thought it was all my own fault!) Fortunately my GP realized there was something seriously wrong. I had the valve replaced with an artificial one 3 years ago and am now able to walk up hills without any problems.

I am 43 years old. I have been experiencing terrible headaches and a drop in energy. I have never had blood pressure issues, but this year my blood pressure at its highest: 178/120. I was put on medication, but it was not keeping my blood pressure down. I also noticed my heart was beating so hard and "fluttering." I went to a cardiologist and after a CT scan, echocardiogram, blood work, and a stress test, I was told I have AS. I have appointments to have my eyes checked and I need a MRI to make sure that I am not having TIAs. After these tests, I will be scheduled for a heart catheter. This was a lot to take in and I am nervous as to what the future holds.

I have had a heart murmur since I was a child. I've been diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis and my symptoms were dizzy spells and chest pain. This was discovered when my cardiologist ordered a stress test. Wish me luck and I hope others get the medical help they seek.

I'm 26 and have been experiencing chest pains and also some pains in my arms for the last four months or so. Researching my symptoms leads me to think I could be suffering from aortic stenosis. I've recently been to the doctor who listened to my heart and had an ECG and chest X-ray carried out. Apparently all these produced normal results but I feel the doctor is blowing me off somewhat (not taking the symptoms seriously enough). At the same time I don't want to tell him his job. I'm experiencing chest pain daily and am extremely concerned about it.