Association between Aortic Stenosis and Hypertension
Gordon E. Pate MSc

Hypertension causes increased shear stress across the aortic valve, which may induce inflammation in endothelial cells. Inflammation has been demonstrated on stenosed valve leaflets in vivo. This study investigated data relating to 3.39 million discharges in patients with a primary or secondary discharge diagnosis of hypertension or aortic stenosis in the Republic of Ireland over a five-year period. Aortic stenosis and hypertension were significantly associated in patients discharged from hospital. Hypertension was present in 21.0% of those with aortic stenosis, and aortic stenosis in 1.1% of those with hypertension. If hypertension is shown to be contributing to aortic valve disease then, potentially, better blood pressure control might prevent the progression of stenosis.