Which set of symptoms is classically associated with aortic stenosis?

• A. Angina, syncope, dyspnea.
• B. Fever, night sweats, weight loss.
• C. Cough, wheeze, stridor.
• D. Abdominal pain, jaundice, diarrhea.

Answer: (A)

Aortic stenosis typically presents with the triad of angina, syncope, and dyspnea on exertion. The heart has a fixed obstruction to outflow, so the left ventricle must generate high pressures to push blood through the narrowed valve. This leads to left ventricular hypertrophy and a mismatch between oxygen supply and demand, especially during activity, causing angina. During exertion, the fixed cardiac output can’t meet the body's needs, and transient drops in cerebral perfusion can produce syncope. Dyspnea arises because the elevated left-sided pressures and diastolic dysfunction raise pulmonary venous pressure, leading to pulmonary congestion and shortness of breath.

The other symptom sets don’t fit this pattern: fever, night sweats, and weight loss point more toward infections or systemic inflammatory conditions; cough, wheeze, and stridor suggest airway or lung disease; abdominal pain, jaundice, and diarrhea indicate gastrointestinal or hepatic issues.