Researchers in WA say a severe heart condition affecting close to 100,000 Australians will kill more than 50 per cent of sufferers within five years without treatment.
Researchers say a severe heart condition affecting close to 100,000 Australians will kill more than 50 per cent of sufferers within five years without treatment.Research suggests the number of new cases is likely nearing 10,000 a yearA study, published last year and partly funded by a heart valve company, modelled the number of Australians over the age of 55 with aortic stenosis — a hardening or "calcification" of the aortic valve.
"They either have no symptoms at all or could potentially just have some breathlessness during exercise."Dr Playford's research draws on findings from the National Echo Database Australia, something he set up to collect anonymised data from heart patients around the country.One of Doctor Playford's patients, Shane Caulfield , has had his aortic valve replaced.
"From an individual to societal perspective, it seems clear that due to Australia's progressively ageing population, a clear strategy to detect and then optimally manage an increasing burden of aortic stenosis is urgently required," the study says. "One of the problems that can happen with aortic stenosis is that there's just a slowing down," he said.
"It's quite common for symptoms to be under-reported and not really thought to be significant. Also there are people ... that just really have absolutely no symptoms." The study, published in the peer-reviewed BMC Health Services journal, was funded by an unconditional grant provided by Edwards Lifesciences Australia, a maker of heart valves.One of Dr Playford's patients, Shane Caulfield, first noticed there might be something wrong with his health in 2017.Mr Caulfield was monitored for three years before things took a turn for the worse.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
MCC seeks to end $15 membership fee for 50-year membersThousands of men who have been Melbourne Cricket Club members for at least 50 years could lose a generous discount that has been in place for 57 years under a motion to be put forward at next month’s annual general meeting, writes petryan | MCC agere...
Read more »
Forty years after five-year-old's death, US police charge man with murderUS detectives have used DNA evidence to charge a 70-year-old Nevada man over the killing of a five-year-old girl who disappeared while walking to kindergarten in 1982.
Read more »
WA study suggests workplace exposure to silica dust could cause cancer for 10,000 AustraliansCurtin University has used modelling to estimate future cases of lung cancer and silicosis from the dust, which is found in many building products.
Read more »
Lendlease eyes life sciences hub in London projectProximity to key health and research institutions matters for the fast-evolving life sciences sector, which one report tips to grow into a $10.3 billion sector in Australia within five years.
Read more »
Staggering consequence of Wimbledon's Russia banNick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic were big losers when the latest rankings were released, which also revealed a 25-year low. tennis Wimbledon
Read more »