Silent Heart Condition Affects Over 25% of Seniors
On this Fourth of July, we reflect on the courage of our founders and the timeless ideals that continue to guide our nation. Let’s celebrate the freedom we cherish and the enduring American spirit that unites us all.
Far too many health complaints get dismissed as a “normal” part of aging.
The problem with that mindset is that major health issues can be overlooked—and appropriate treatment delayed—while things only get worse.
In fact, there’s even a type of heart disease that often goes undiagnosed simply because its symptoms are passed off as normal.
But it turns out that more than 25 percent of adults over age 60 have this dangerous heart condition without realizing it.
Heart valves function like doors that ensure your blood flows in the right direction at the right time. They open and close with each beat of your heart.
If those doors start to malfunction, it causes your heart to work harder than it should. If one or more of your four valves isn’t functioning correctly, you have heart valve disease.
Heart valve disease can contribute to heart attacks, arrhythmias, heart failure, and death.
That’s VERY concerning, considering a recent study found that more than 28 percent of seniors have undetected heart valve disease.
This figure is significant because all of the adults in this study were considered healthy. They had NO heart disease and no recognized symptoms of a heart problem.
The older the individual, the higher their risk of having heart valve problems.
Although some people have no symptoms, others can experience…
- breathlessness,
- chest pain,
- dizziness,
- swollen ankles and feet,
- fatigue,
- or chest palpitations.
If you suspect you or a loved one fits into this category, it’s time to make an appointment with your doctor.
[SIGNOFF]
P.S. [Alert] These so-called “safe” drugs could DOUBLE your heart risk!
SOURCE:
Tsampasian, V., et al. (2024) Prevalence of asymptomatic valvular heart disease in the elderly population: a community-based echocardiographic study. European Heart Journal – Cardiovascular Imaging. [doi. org/10.1093/ ehjci /jeae127].
