According to a new study published in the medical journal Lancet, valve disease cases stand to double within the next 20 years as the North American population ages. This condition is already posing a threat, with the Mayo Clinic estimating that about five million adult Americans currently suffer from either moderate or severe heart valve disease, which is due solely to aging.
The study, conducted by the Mayo Clinic, is the first comprehensive one of its kind that looks at data from both the general public as well as a specific community. The researchers reviewed systemic samples from the general public in order to evaluate general trends as well as focusing on Olmsted County (which is where the Mayo Clinic is actually located) to uncover information on individuals who have already received treatment and care for the condition.
Heart valve disease actually breaks down into four categories and involves four specific valves in your heart. These are aortic, mitral, pulmonary, and tricuspid valve disease. When one or more of these valves don’t open or close properly, it can disrupt the flow of blood to the body, causing a plethora of health concerns and problems.
The researchers looked at data that was gleaned from the general population, which included 11,911 participants in three National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute population studies. These individuals all received echocardiograms (which is ultrasound that examines the structure and functioning of the heart, looking for abnormalities and diseases). They also looked at individuals from Olmsted County who also received echocardiograms.
What the researchers found was that looking at the general population, the prevalence of cases where adults were diagnosed with either moderate or severe forms of the disease saw an increase that correlated directly with age. The numbers came in at 0.7% in the 18 to 44 age bracket to 13.3% in people who were ages 75 and up.
Looking at the individuals from Olmstead County specifically, 1.8% of the adults were diagnosed as having the condition, where prevalence also went up with age as well. The numbers for the Olmstead demographic ranged from 0.3% in the 18 to 44 age group to 11.7% for those individuals who were 75 and older.
According to Vuyisile Nkomo, MD, a cardiologist and the lead author of the study, “Valve diseases are a significant public health concern because the proportion of our elderly population is increasing. This study shows that valve diseases increase significantly with aging. It is a major step in understanding the scope of the burden of valve diseases today and their contribution to declining health with aging.”
The research team pointed out that the findings of the study are by no means trivial — this increase in valve disease can lead to a doubling of cases in the next 20 years. Not only will many individuals of the aging population feel the consequences of this increase, but our health care system will also be adversely impacted as well.
Take the proper steps now to maintain good heart health. Exercise, quit smoking, eat a healthy diet, and maintain good communication with your doctor.
Next Post:
Common Allergy Problem Linked to Parkinson’s Previous Post:
Antibiotic-Resistant Bug Now a Big ProblemTags: exercise, health tips, Heart
