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It is time to have that heart to heart


There is a single question you could ask your doctor which could save your life.

This article is sponsored content from Edward Lifesciences.

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  • Health
  • Read Time: 5 mins

Key points


  • 1 in 8 Australians is currently living with aortic stenosis.  

  • 8 out of 10 Australians over 60 are unaware of this disease.  

  • Forty per cent of Australians over 60 do not ask their doctor to listen to their heart.

Evelyn was 75 when she started noticing shortness of breath and chest pain. Gone were the days of self-sufficiency. Now, every movement left her gasping for breath. Unsure of what she was experiencing, Evelyn booked an appointment to see her General Practitioner (GP).

Across the country, 80-year-old golfer Les began to suffer from breathlessness, chest pain, growing fatigue and deteriorating mental health. 

"For two or three weeks, I had no energy. I knew I had to do something. It was time to see my General Practitioner," said Les.

At the GP, Evelyn and Les asked their respective doctors to listen to their hearts [1][2].

The doctors identified and diagnosed Evelyn and Les with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, a progressive disease that, when severe and untreated, may take the lives of 50% of patients within years [3]. Aortic stenosis boasts a five-year survival rate. Unfortunately, the survival rate is worse than metastatic breast, colorectal and lung cancers [4][5].  

In 2021, approximately 66,510 Australians suffered from severe symptomatic aortic stenosis; 53,427 were either untreated or undiagnosed [8][9]. Aortic stenosis is one of the most common and severe heart valve diseases. It occurs when your heart valves responsible for allowing blood to flow through the body’s main artery narrow due to a calcium build-up. Calcium build-up in your heart valves restricts blood from flowing around the body as it usually would [6]

Patients often experience no symptoms, allowing aortic stenosis to go unnoticed for years before symptoms appear.

Symptoms to look out for


Symptoms may include:

  • Chest pain or tightness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Palpitations
  • Feeling faint or fainting
  • Fatigue
  • Reduced physical activity or not completing usual daily activities

How your GP will assess your heart


There are four parts to a heart health check that your GP may undertake or request, including:

  • Ask you questions: Your GP will record a detailed medical history of your symptoms, familial history of heart disease, smoking history, and physical activity levels and assess your previous or current cholesterol and glucose levels.
  • A physical examination: This will include checking your blood pressure, pulse, and weight. Your GP will use a stethoscope to listen to your heart, checking for heart murmurs and any signs of breathing problems.
  • Request an electrocardiogram (ECG): This will be conducted if the GP suspects you may have a heart rhythm and electrical activity irregularities. It involves connecting electrical leads with stickers to your chest and limbs and takes about 10 minutes.
  • Order blood tests: This will check your cholesterol, blood glucose, and kidney and liver function or identify specific blood markers such as hormone levels.

If you experience some symptoms, ask your doctor to listen to your heart with a stethoscope at your next appointment. A simple check-up could save your life.

Treatment options


If found quickly, treatment options for aortic stenosis include surgical aortic valve replacement and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). A properly trained and dedicated team will determine an appropriate treatment option.

These treatments can involve the replacement of the aortic valve via surgery or a less invasive procedure boasting a rapid recovery time. Consultation with a GP and specialist will determine the best option for you.

If you are over 65 and getting a check-up or do not feel yourself, ask a GP to listen to your heart! Evelyn and Les did. It gave them their life back. For more information on aortic stenosis, chat with your healthcare professional and visit newheartvalve.com.au.

Information on this material includes educational information regarding certain conditions and potential therapies or treatment options. Other therapies or treatment options may be available, and you should discuss any educational information you access online with your healthcare professional. Appropriate treatment for individuals is a matter for healthcare professionals to decide in consultation with each individual.

Sources:

  1. Cherif L. H. et al, Segmentation of Heart Sounds and Heart Murmurs. Journal of Mechanics in medicine and Biology.
  2. According to a survey Heart Health - Australia conducted by YouGov (2020) of 2077 Australians over the age of 60 years old, commissioned by Edwards Lifesciences on 6-19 October 2020 [unpublished raw data].
  3. Otto CM. Timing of aortic valve surgery. Heart 2000;84:211-8.
  4. Watanabe Y, Kozuma K, Hioki H, et al. Comparison of Results of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Patients With Versus Without Active Cancer. Am J Cardiol. 2016;118(4):572-577.
  5. National Cancer Institute. Cancer statistics based on data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program SEER 19
    2009-2015. Volume 2019. Available at: https://seer.cancer.gov
  6. Carabello BA. Introduction to aortic stenosis. Circ Res 2013;113:179–85.
  7. Mayo Clinic Staff. www.mayoclinic.com http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/aortic-stenosis/basics/symptoms/con-20026329. Accessed August 12, 2016.
  8. Ipsos AS Patient Drop-off Australia New Zealand, March 2021.
  9. Strange et al, BMC 2021.


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