My mother has aortic stenosis. what is it in a nutshell?

NARROWED VALVE: Stenosis means 'narrowed'. So aortic stenosis is a narrowed aortic valve. The prognosis (outlook) is determined by the pressure (gradient) or the 'valve area' . The higher the gradient and the smaller the valve opening the more likely the valve needs to be replaced. These symptoms also suggest a severe stenosis: chest pain (angina), short of breath (CHF) or passing out (syncope).

Narrow artery: The aorta is the main blood vessel. A stenosis is a narrowing. The main problems with the narrowing are that it can a) limit the blood flow to organs distal to the narrowing and b) increase resistance or work on the heart or pump that is supplying the aorta.

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 put of the heart. If the patients develops any symptoms, surgical replacement is needed.