Why does a patient with aortic valve stenosis often experience exertional dyspnea, even with normal lung function?

💡 Explanation

Aortic stenosis increases the resistance the left ventricle must overcome, which causes increased left ventricular pressure and consequently, elevated left atrial pressure. Because of this increase in left atrial pressure, pulmonary venous pressure also rises, leading to pulmonary congestion and dyspnea. Therefore, elevated left atrial pressure is responsible, rather than primary lung dysfunction.

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