Aortic regurgitation occurs when the aortic valve (linking the left ventricle to the aorta) does not close properly when the heart contracts. This means blood leaks back into the left ventricle, which then has to work harder to pump the extra blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. This can lead to the enlargement and thickening of the ventricle wall.
Aortic regurgitation is often linked with other conditions affecting the heart, such as endocarditis and Marfan’s syndrome.
Our Cardiorespiratory Unit regularly refer to information published by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) when explaining aortic regurgitation to our patients and their families. More information on aortic regurgitation can be found in their aortic stenosis factsheet.
Visit the BHF website to download their aortic stenosis factsheet