Health · Medical Research · 6 hrs ago
Heart valve problems in older adults can be mistaken for ageing
A cardiologist warns that heart valve problems can look like ordinary ageing in older adults.
One condition, aortic stenosis, affects the valve at the heart’s main exit and is seen more often later in life.
Breathlessness, fatigue and dizziness can be dismissed as weather, poor sleep or weakness.
People may quietly stop activities that bring on discomfort, making the change harder to notice.
Families can track when changes began, which activities trigger them and whether walking distances have shortened.
Swollen ankles, faintness or a racing heartbeat are also signs to note.
Persistent changes that affect daily life deserve discussion with a healthcare professional.
Heart valve problems in older adults can cause symptoms that are mistaken for normal ageing.
Aortic stenosis affects the valve at the heart’s main exit and is seen more often in later life.
When a valve narrows or fails to close properly, the heart has to work harder.
Breathlessness, fatigue and dizziness may be dismissed as weather effects, poor sleep or weakness.
Persistent symptoms or changes that limit everyday activities may warrant closer attention and discussion with healthcare professionals.
- Who
- Older adults with possible heart valve disease, and the families who may notice changes in their daily routines.
- What
- Symptoms of heart valve problems, including aortic stenosis, can be mistaken for ageing.
- When
- Not stated.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Valve narrowing or failure to close properly makes the heart work harder; symptoms can resemble ordinary effects of ageing.
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- Heart valves
- Four guide blood through the heart
- Aortic stenosis
- Affects the valve at the heart’s main exit
- Possible symptoms
- Breathlessness, fatigue and dizziness
- Warning signs
- May be mistaken for ageing
What people are saying
Its warning signs can resemble ageing. Breathlessness gets blamed on the weather
Sources
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