Even though it’s a serious condition that typically leads to death after the onset of serious symptoms (such as angina and syncope), aortic stenosis (AS) is under-diagnosed—and even more scary—under-treated.
Part of the problem when it comes to under-diagnosis is that patients often fail to take their symptoms seriously—dismissing them as a “part of aging.” Aortic stenosis is the abnormal narrowing of the aortic valve which obstructs blood flow from the heart to the arteries. Because the heart has to work harder and blood flow to the body is hindered, AS can lead to dizziness, fatigue, heart palpitations, weakness, shortness of breath, angina, and more. AS is more common in older adults and they oftentimes dismiss their symptoms as a normal part of getting old.
Even when diagnosed, AS often goes untreated. Aortic valve surgery provides an almost immediate increase in quality of life and usually far outweighs the risks, however many older patients elect not to have it because of fear of surgery at an older age.
The bottom line is that patients need to learn more about the disease and talk to their doctors. To raise awareness and teach patients about the disease—as well as how to talk to their doctor—the Alliance released a patient brochure and supporting resources. All materials are available on-line at the Aortic Stenosis Health Corner. Materials include videos, podcasts, and a patient quiz that tests users’ knowledge of the disease. They also highlight fairly new findings that while wear-and-tear of the aortic valve still plays a major role in developing AS, lifestyle factors like diet and smoking may also put us at risk.
Really seful information. One of the common mistakes people make is that they associate such conditions with 'old-age'. What they fail to understand is one needs to be careful as they grow older and not only when they have grown older!
Pain pills without prescription are widely used in all countries, especially in the U.S. where the economy people look for your home, as the situation facing this country still is not the best, with more reason, if the medicines they need are controlled as vicodin, hydrocodone, tramadol, lortab, Percocet, etc. Therefore, in findrxonline suggest that these medications for chronic pain are very effective, but they also are very controlled should be priority for people in need, remember that health care is very important for people.
Pain pills without prescription are widely used in all countries, especially in the U.S. where the economy people look for your home, as the situation facing this country still is not the best, with more reason, if the medicines they need are controlled as Darvocet, vicodin, hydrocodone, tramadol, lortab, Percocet, etc. Therefore, in findrxonline suggest that these medications for chronic pain are very effective, but they also are very controlled should be priority for people in need, remember that health care is very important for people.
This was a very useful article, given that many older adults suffer needlessly from pain. The Alliance promotes important programs to improve Quality of Life for us all, and I hope that both patient education and Geriatric training for physicians can adapt to the immediate need we face.
Wendy E. Goldman, MBA/MS Gerontology, GeroBiz Consulting
Part of the problem when it comes to under-diagnosis is that patients often fail to take their symptoms seriously—dismissing them as a “part of aging.”
The above is so true. It comes down to balance - we don't want to scare people into assuming they automatically have age related issues, however we also don't want them to ignore warning signs of true problems.
Is important to reform health care as indicate findrxonline appropriate and capable people should take a position as important as this, remember that previous governments failed to put disabled people who can solve the health problems that are in this country.
Very nice blog.
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Interesting topic. What do you think should Medical Practitioners do about this?
Please keep up the good work for the hospice and palliative care with more information in the next article.Thanks
This is my favorite blog,. I love your stuff. You always seem to be doing what I planned on doing in a month or so.