Older Americans over age 65 aren’t talking about heart valve health with their doctors — despite many receiving a new health diagnosis in the last year, according to a new national study. Heart valve failure occurs when the aortic valve stiffens and fails to open properly due to severe calcium build up. “Heart valve failure is especially dangerous because it can progress without symptoms, and become life-threatening — sometimes very rapidly. “Each year, more than 4 million Americans will turn 65 —the age when heart valve disease risk rises sharply. This gap is dangerous because heart valve failure often progresses silently, without symptoms, until it is life-threatening.

Source: Daily Sun February 18, 2026 01:21 UTC