Aortic valve stenosis, or aortic stenosis, occurs when the heart's aortic valve narrows. The aortic valve allows blood to flow from the heart's lower left chamber (ventricle) into the aorta and to the body. This narrowing prevents the valve from opening properly, which obstructs blood flow from your heart into your aorta and onward to the rest of your body.

Aortic Valve Regurgitation, or Aortic Regurgitation, is a condition that occurs when your heart's aortic valve doesn't close tightly. It happens when there is leakage of the aortic valve each time the left ventricle relaxes.

A leaking (or regurgitant) aortic valve allows blood that was pumped out of your left ventricle to leak back into it.

You can have aortic regurgitation for a long time and not know it. It may take years for symptoms to start (chronic aortic valve regurgitation). In rare cases, the valve problem starts suddenly and without warning (aortic valve regurgitation). It requires medical help right away.