Heart Beat: Statins don't stop aortic valve narrowing
Heart Beat
Narrowing of the aortic valve, the trapdoor through which blood leaves the heart, is one of the most common heart problems among the elderly. In most patients, this problem, called aortic stenosis, is caused by the buildup of calcium on the springy doors (leaflets) of the valve. This makes them stiff and hampers the flow of blood. If the valve opening gets too narrow, it can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting spells, or even sudden death.
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