Stenosis of the aortic valve occurs in three percent of people between the ages of 75 and 85 in rich countries. Of those in developed regions of the globe with the disease who are more than 85 years old, it is present in four percent of the population. There are several forms of valvular heart disease in humans, but this condition is the most common in rich countries [1, 2].
It may occur at birth as a developmental anomaly during pregnancy, and these clients may have a bicuspid valve of the aorta. This means that the aorta has only two flaps to regulate the flow of blood from the left ventricle of the heart whereas in normal individuals, there are three flaps. Nevertheless, most people who have a stenotic aortic valve have developed it through the adult years with calcification and scarring [1, 2].
In fact, it may first become manifest at the age of 60, and signs and symptoms progress gradually over the next two decades [1, 2].