I'm really concerned about what my cardiologist told me regarding aortic valve leakage. Can you explain what might be causing this condition? And he mentioned that the valve might need to be changed in the future. How serious is this situation, and what should I expect going forward?

The main reason for aortic valve leakage is usually due to a condition called aortic valve regurgitation, where the valve does not close properly and allows blood to leak back into the heart. This can be caused by conditions such as rheumatic fever, infective endocarditis, or congenital heart defects. In some cases, age-related changes or wear and tear on the valve can also lead to leakage. If the leakage becomes severe and starts to affect the heart's function, the cardiologist may recommend aortic valve replacement surgery.