The prevalence of valvular heart disease has risen more than 10% in older adults, a recent study found.
The study, published June 16 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, analyzed in-home echocardiography data from 3,000 older American adults.
Here are four study findings.
1. The weighted prevalence of moderate valvular heart disease was 8.2%, and increased to 18.4% for clinically significant valvular heart disease.
2. Tricuspid regurgitation was the most common lesion, followed by aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation, aortic regurgitation and mitral stenosis.
3. Black individuals had the lowest prevalence of any valvular heart disease, driven by lower rates of aortic stenosis and regurgitation, compared to white individuals.
4. Currently, there are at least 4.7 million older adults with moderate valvular heart disease and 10.6 million with clinically significant VHD. Cases are projected to increase to 6.5 million and 14.7 million, respectively, by 2060. Valvular heart disease-associated healthcare costs already exceed $50 billion annually.
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