What is the typical presentation of a patient with aortic stenosis?

The typical presentation of a patient with aortic stenosis includes a classic triad of symptoms: exertional dyspnea, angina, and syncope.

Exertional dyspnea occurs due to the heart's compromised ability to increase cardiac output during physical activity, leading to shortness of breath. Angina can result from inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle due to the increased workload on the left ventricle and reduced coronary perfusion pressure. Syncope, or fainting, typically happens during exertion when the heart cannot meet the oxygen demands of the body, leading to a drop in cerebral perfusion. This triad is critical in identifying patients who may require intervention for aortic stenosis, particularly surgical options like valve replacement.

Other options such as chest pain, diaphoresis, and palpitations are more indicative of arrhythmias or acute coronary syndromes rather than aortic stenosis specifically. Fatigue, edema, and nocturia may suggest heart failure but do not specifically highlight the characteristic triad for aortic stenosis. Symptoms like wheezing, cough, and hemoptysis do not align with aortic stenosis and instead point toward pulmonary issues or heart failure complications rather than the mechanical obstruction of flow associated