Archive · 19 Jul 2026
Aortic Stenosis Rising Among Elderly
Aortic stenosis (AS) is a serious heart valve disease that is becoming more common among elderly adults.
It happens when the aortic valve narrows and hardens, making the heart work harder.
This can lead to heart failure if not treated.
Experts say that by 2050, the number of people with AS will more than double because the population is ageing.
In India, the problem is worse because of rheumatic heart disease.
Doctors say that age should not stop people from getting treatment.
There are new, less invasive treatments like TAVR that can help.
These treatments can make people live longer and healthier lives.
If you are over 65 and feel breathless, have chest pain, or faint, you should see a doctor.
Aortic stenosis (AS) affects nearly 5% of adults over 65, with numbers expected to double by 2050.
AS is caused by narrowing and calcification of the aortic valve, leading to heart failure if untreated.
Symptoms include breathlessness, chest pain, and fainting, with survival limited to 2-3 years without treatment.
India faces a higher burden due to rheumatic heart disease, with a prevalence of 4.54 per 1,000 population.
Advances in TAVR offer improved treatment options with excellent valve durability and comparable survival rates to surgery.
- Who
- Elderly adults aged over 65
- What
- Aortic stenosis (AS), a serious heart valve disease
- When
- Expected to more than double by 2050
- Where
- Global, with a higher burden in India
- Why
- Due to ageing population and rheumatic heart disease
- Prevalence in India
- 4.54 per 1,000 population
- Global Prevalence
- 2–3% of people over 65
- Treatment Advances
- Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
- Survival Rate
- Five-year survival comparable to surgical valve replacement
- Symptoms
- Breathlessness, chest pain, fainting