**1. Definition and symptoms**

Aortic stenosis is the most frequent cause of valvular intervention in the Western world and is increasing with age. Thus, awareness and basic knowledge about the management of aortic stenosis are important for a diverse spectrum of health-care providers. When a diagnosis of aortic stenosis is established, careful attention and management are warranted by several health-care providers including general practitioners, internists, geriatricians, anesthesiologists, thoracic surgeons, and imaging experts, besides cardiologists.

Symptoms of aortic stenosis are unspecific and often vague as the disease progression is typically slow. However, when patients finally present with symptoms related to a severe aortic gradient, it may require prompt action. Typically patients with aortic stenosis are limited by shortness of breath at exertion. Because adaptation of lifestyle is common, it is crucial to recognize dyspnea due to aortic stenosis. Sometimes, a dramatic episode like syncope or cardiac arrhythmia occurs. Cardiac auscultation using a stethoscope is common in everyday practice throughout the health-care system, and the presence of a cardiac murmur may suggest an aortic stenosis. The same holds true for echocardiography (ECG), and signs of left ventricular hypertrophy may lead to further investigations.
