Bicuspid Aortic Valve: Understanding Causes & Family History

A bicuspid aortic valve is an abnormal formation of the valve that usually allows oxygen-rich blood to flow from the heart to the rest of the body. Although not all cases of the disorder are genetic, it often occurs in family bloodlines.

The Facts

• The aortic valve is the connection between the heart and the aorta, the main artery that supplies the body with blood. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the valve normally consists of three separate sections, or cusps, that work together to stop or allow blood flow.

Bicuspid Aortic Valve

• A bicuspid aortic valve has only two cusps. Without a third cusp, the valve may become abnormally stiff or allow blood from the aorta to leak back into the heart.

Present at Birth

• A bicuspid aortic valve is congenital, meaning it is present at birth. According to Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, it is the most common form of congenital heart defect.

Genetic Inheritance

• In many cases, the bicuspid valve defect is genetically inherited. However, not all members of a bloodline are affected, and the condition may skip over entire generations.

Considerations

• A bicuspid aortic valve is more common in men than in women. Symptoms do not typically appear in infants or children.