How does the condition aortic stenosis occur?

May start from birth: Aortic valve problems may start from birth if the aortic valve was abnormal due to a birth defect. As one ages, there can be progressive wear and tear of a bicuspid valve present since birth. There can also be wear and tear of a previously normal aortic valve in the elderly. Rheumatic fever can also cause scarring of the aortic valve in a child or adult.

Calcium: The exact cause is unknown but what we do know is that the valve gradually gets calcified over time causing it to narrow.

Small valve: The aortic valve opens when the heart contracts, allowing the blood to flow from the heart to the aorta which supplies the body. When aortic stenosis occurs, the aortic valve narrows, impeding the flow of blood out of the heart. It can be congenital (young patient) or simple "ware and tear"(older patients). If the patients develops any symptoms, surgical replacement is needed.