Finding and fixing a stiff, narrowed aortic valve
Promising trends include a more proactive approach for treating aortic stenosis, which affects about one in 20 people over age 65.
- Reviewed by Yee-Ping Sun, MD, Contributor
The first clue may be a whooshing sound your doctor hears while listening to your heart with a stethoscope. Known as a heart murmur, it suggests abnormal blood flow in the heart’s valves. In older adults, a common cause is aortic stenosis — a stiff, narrowed aortic valve.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online Plus (HHO+) to unlock expert-backed health insights, personalized tools, and exclusive resources to feel your best every day.
Here’s what you get with your HHO+ membership:
- Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
- 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
- Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
- In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
- Interactive features like videos and quizzes
- Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources
I’d like to subscribe to HHO+ for $4.99/month to access expert-backed content to help make smart, informed decisions about my well-being.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
About the Author
Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
About the Reviewer
Yee-Ping Sun, MD, Contributor
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
