Heart-healthy habits over time linked to a lower risk of aortic stenosis
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- Reviewed by Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
About 5% of adults over age 65 have a stiff, narrowed aortic valve, a condition called aortic stenosis that can cause heart failure and require surgical repair or replacement. A new study finds that people who maintain or improve their heart-related risks over time are less likely to develop changes in the aortic valve that may lead to aortic stenosis.
The study, published online March 10, 2026, by the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology, included 8,047 adults (average age 49) who completed surveys every two years from 2006 to 2016. Researchers assessed their patterns of cardiovascular health over that decade based on four behaviors (not smoking, eating better, being active, and sleeping well) and four factors (weight, cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure), which are collectively known as the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8.
Over the next eight years, 1,005 people developed aortic valve calcification, which can lead to aortic stenosis. The researchers found that people with long-term, poor cardiovascular health patterns had the highest odds of this change, but those who improved or maintained their cardiovascular health patterns had a lower risk.
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About the Author
Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
About the Reviewer
Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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