From Breathlessness to Blackouts: Unmissable Early Warning Signs of a Dangerous Heart Disease

Aortic stenosis, a seemingly unknown condition, happens when the aortic valve becomes too narrow to open fully, making the blood flow in your arteries difficult as it has to fight its way out of the heart.

Doctors say this pressure eventually shows up as symptoms, which can be deadly if ignored. “People often notice chest pain with exertion, breathlessness while climbing a flight of stairs, or spells of dizziness and blackouts. An ECG and echocardiogram usually reveal the problem, and once the diagnosis is clear, the next step is figuring out how tight the valve actually is,” Dr Keshava R, HOD and consultant, interventional cardiology, Manipal Hospital, told Times Now.

What happens in aortic stenosis?

Dr Keshava says aortic valve stenosis severely interferes with the normal blood flow out of your heart, causing major heart damage. However, not every narrowed valve needs an operation. Mild and moderate cases are usually managed with medicines and regular follow-up. The real concern begins when the stenosis turns severe. Traditionally, the only treatment was open-heart surgery to replace the valve. Surgeons either use a metal valve, which is preferred for younger patients who can safely stay on long-term anticoagulants, or a tissue valve, which is recommended once someone crosses 65 years of age. “The decision gets more complicated when a patient carries a high surgical risk. Think of someone in their seventies or eighties with lung disease, kidney issues, frailty, or a heart that’s already pumping weakly. In these situations, forcing the body to go through major surgery may cause more harm than good. This is where TAVI (Transfemoral Aortic Valve Implantation) changes the game,” said Dr Keshava.Also read: What is Aortic Stenosis, a Normal Ageing Symptom That Signals a Dangerous Heart Condition

What is TAVI?

TAVI is a minimally invasive way to replace the aortic valve without opening the chest. The new valve is guided into place through an artery in the groin. Before anything is planned, a detailed CT scan helps the team check whether the anatomy is suitable. If everything lines up and the heart team agrees that conventional surgery is too risky, TAVI becomes the preferred option. The procedure is done under mild sedation rather than general anesthesia. It usually takes about an hour to an hour and a half. Patients are up and moving within a day and can often go home in 48 to 72 hours. The risks are relatively low for this age group: a small chance of needing a pacemaker, bleeding, or a stroke—numbers that are significantly safer compared to open surgery in high-risk elderly patients.

Recent high-profile examples of TAVI surgery

The recent example of Prem Chopra highlights this well. At over 70 and somewhat frail, he fits the typical profile of someone who benefits from a less invasive approach. For patients like him, TAVI isn’t just an alternative. It’s the smarter, safer path to breathing easier and getting back to daily life quickly. In short, once symptoms appear and the valve is severely narrowed, the focus shifts to choosing the safest and most effective treatment. With the right evaluation, imaging, and heart team discussion, TAVI has opened a door for many who once had very limited options.