One in four healthy over-60s in Britain ‘has undiagnosed heart valve disease’

Research shows that one in four healthy people aged 60 and over in the UK have undiagnosed heart valve disease.

The condition occurs when one or more heart valves do not work properly. The main problems are caused by the valves not opening fully or not closing properly.

Heart valve disease can put extra strain on the heart and increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other heart health problems, experts say.

Researchers led by the University of East Anglia (UEA) found that one in four adults who were healthy and had no symptoms had the disease but didn’t know it. Their findings were published in the European Heart Journal Cardiovascular Imaging.

Co-lead author Vassilios Vassiliou, Clinical Professor of Cardiac Medicine at UEA Medical School in Norwich, said: “This study aimed to understand how widespread heart valve problems of any severity occur in healthy, symptom-free adults without any known heart disease.

“We examined almost 4,500 people aged 60 and over from three regions in Britain: Norfolk, West Midlands and Aberdeen, using echocardiography, an ultrasound scan of the heart.

“Our findings showed that more than 28% of these adults had some form of heart valve disease, although reassuringly it was only mild in the majority of cases.

“The data also indicated that age was the most important factor associated with these heart valve problems, meaning that the older a person is, the greater the chance of having a significant valve problem.”

Co-lead author Prof Michael Frenneaux, from Royal Brompton Hospital in London, said this was likely to put more strain on the hearts of people with undetected disease. “Over time, it can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and other heart diseases,” he added.

Symptoms may include a feeling of shortness of breath, chest pain, feeling weak or dizzy, swollen ankles and feet, feeling more tired than normal, and palpitations in the chest or neck.

Over more than a decade, 4,327 asymptomatic patients aged 60 and over took part in the study, which was funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), after being invited through their GP.

They were evaluated with a health questionnaire, clinical examination and transthoracic echocardiography, an ultrasound scan of the heart. Heart valve disease was diagnosed in 28.2% of participants.

“This study shows that many older adults have heart valve problems, even if they have no symptoms. We would suggest that if people develop any new symptoms or signs that could indicate heart disease, they should discuss this with their doctor,” said Vassiliou.

“As our population ages, this information can help healthcare providers understand the scope of valve disease and streamline routine care practices and screening programs to ensure we can meet demand in the future.

“This way they can better identify and help people at risk before the problems become serious.”

Professor James Leiper, medical director of BHF, said the findings were important and called for research to find ways to identify more people with heart valve disease.

A separate investigation on Thursdaypublished in the British Medical Journal, found that the decline in coronary heart disease among people under 60 in Britain had stalled, with researchers saying this could be due to rising obesity rates and a lack of exercise.