Close to 300,000 people in the UK are unaware that they can have a potentially fatal heart condition –

Every time Alison Banayoti runs up the stairs or takes a long walk, she says a silent “thank you” for the accidental diagnosis that likely saved her life.

Alison, 61, hospital administrator at Haywards Heath, West Sussex, had aortic valve stenosis, a narrowing or hardening of the aortic valve in the heart.

The valve, which opens and closes about 100,000 times a day, allows blood to flow from the left ventricle, the heart’s main pumping chamber, to the aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body.

If the valve malfunctions, it can deprive vital organs, muscles and tissues of oxygen, causing dizziness and shortness of breath.

If left untreated, aortic stenosis can lead to potentially fatal heart failure; in this case, the heart, unable to pump blood efficiently, wears out due to the pressure to maintain circulation.

Studies now show that up to 300,000 people in the UK may have the potentially fatal condition without even knowing it.

According to research from NHS England, British universities and the University of Notre Dame in Fremantle in Australia, many will have no symptoms and go undiagnosed until the condition has progressed, while half could die within five years without immediate treatment.

The results (published in the journal Open Heart) caused concern among experts. The condition is known to affect one in every 100 people in the UK, and an estimated 300,000 have severe aortic stenosis, with one in two dying within just two years.

“The data is incredibly disturbing,” said Callum Ferguson, policy director for the Heart Valve Voice charity.

“Awareness of the red flag symptoms for aortic stenosis – shortness of breath, dizziness and fatigue – is still very low. Some patients view these as signs of aging or a lack of vitality. Others show no symptoms.

Kate Bratt-Farrar of Heart Research UK agrees: “We are concerned about this study,” but added: “This is a first step towards a better understanding of the capacity needed to treat aortic stenosis.

The most common cause of aortic stenosis is wear and tear on the heart, and it usually affects people over the age of 65.

Senior cardiologist at York Hospital, Dr. When the narrowing is mild or moderate, the heart compensates and patients have no symptoms, explains Maurice Pye. “When symptoms such as chest tightness, palpitations, shortness of breath or chest pain develop, the disease is already quite severe,” he says.

“Only whether it’s mild or moderate is determined when the doctor listens to the heart for another reason and hears a murmur.”

A heart murmur may indicate that blood is not flowing properly from the heart and that the aortic valve is malfunctioning. It has a “hissing” or “hissing” sound produced by turbulent blood flow, as opposed to the softer blood flow sounds in a healthy heart.

Dr. Adds Pye: “Once you are seen by a cardiologist, you are unlikely to miss the situation as he will listen to your heart, pick up murmurs and arrange for a cardiac ultrasound. [echocardiogram] Who will make the definitive diagnosis?

Treatment usually involves open heart surgery to replace the valve or, in very frail patients over the age of 75, a less invasive procedure (called TAVI) in which the valve is operated through a blood vessel in the thigh. chest.

But older people aren’t always affected: Alison was 40 when she was diagnosed.

“I’ve always been fit and healthy, but I had a fun spin one day at 43,” she says. “I was dizzy on the right and felt like rubber.”

Alison’s family doctor sent her to the hospital for an echocardiogram, a scan that uses sound waves to create an image of the heart that likely saved her life.

There was a heart murmur, and the scan revealed that Alison was born with only two “caps,” or fins, in her aortic valve instead of three normal valves.

The wings open and close to allow blood to exit the heart. The absence of flaps made it difficult for his heart to send the right amount of blood through the valve to the aorta with each beat.

The scans also revealed narrowing of the aortic valve. A diagnosis of aortic stenosis was made.

However, Alison had none of the common symptoms.

“It was pure coincidence that I had my fun shift and was referred to a cardiologist, or I never knew I was in this situation,” she says. “I was very lucky.”

Married to 63-year-old retired family doctor Amer, Alison went through annual scans to check her heart after she was diagnosed. He was also given five tablets, including a statin, a beta-blocker (used to slow heart rate and reduce pressure), and an anticoagulant.

But things quickly fell apart at the age of 57 in 2018.

“I was already feeling tired going up the stairs,” she says. “Then I started to feel short of breath. I didn’t have chest pain, but I was dizzy. I thought the shortness of breath was due to aging.’

However, her counselor found that her aortic stenosis was getting worse and she needed an aortic valve replacement. We were told that without it, her chances of living for two years were only 50/50.

“Even though it was terrible news, I counted my blessings captured in time,” he says.

“The counselor explained that once symptoms appear, replacement surgery should usually be done within 12-18 months.”

In a four-hour open-heart surgery at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, the aortic valve was replaced with a valve made from donated human valve tissue.

“I immediately noticed a difference when I recovered,” says Alison. “For the first time in a long time, I was able to take a full, deep breath. I was given morphine and had a scar on my chest, but I was so grateful to be alive.

Fit and healthy now, she’s back at work and enjoying her life, and her meds have been reduced to a simple beta-blocker.

Six months later, St. Thomas Hospital, loves long walks with dogs and is learning to swim.

“The surgery rejuvenated me,” she says. “Had it not been for the original diagnosis when I was 40, I would never have thought that such a condition existed, or even existed.

“It made me realize that a lot of people have it, but they won’t know until it’s too late,” she says.

With a high prevalence among people over 65, Callum Ferguson says routine stethoscope checkups by primary care physicians can identify asymptomatic patients.

He adds: “It is imperative that anyone with symptoms of aortic stenosis immediately contact their primary care physician and ask them to listen to their heart with a stethoscope.

“Early diagnosis is important, so a simple stethoscope check can save his life.”

under the microscope

60-year-old singer and actress Clare Grogan solves our health test

Can you run up the stairs?

I’ve run three miles four or five times a week since I was 17. Running is my therapy: it helps me clear my mind.

Are you taking five a day?

I like vegetables. I cook a lot with peppers, zucchini, eggplant and garlic. I take the one that is about to burst with fruit and squeeze it. Sometimes I add a drop of vodka!

Have you ever dieted?

No. I can’t undress myself, but I’m really good at stopping when I’m bored enough. 5 ft. They are 1 inch. And they are almost always just above or below 8 st.

How has the pandemic affected you?

Until recently I avoided catching Covid, and when I did it was terrible. My whole throat was closed and I had a fever. It was a few weeks ago, but I’m even more tired than usual.

Any flaws?

I have a glass of wine every day and I don’t blame myself for that.

Any problems in the family?

No, but my mother died early. He went to the hospital and got Clostridium difficile which is very sad. My father died shortly before the pandemic and in a way it was a blessing, considering he is 93 years old and has dementia.

Worst injury?

I was at a concert in Glasgow when I was 17 and got caught in the crossfire when a fight broke out. Broken glass cut my left cheek. I finished with 27 points. After about 15 years I had to reopen it because I had a lump on my cheek and X-ray revealed that I still had a piece of glass on my face. It was the size of 50 pence.

take the pills?

Terms of Service It has made a huge difference in the lives of everyone in this family.

Have you ever had plastic surgery?

Being able to move your face is important to me as a singer and actor, so I don’t think I’d go the Botox route. Not yet.

Have you ever been depressed?

I’ve had some downturns in my life, especially when I’ve had six miscarriages and four failed IVF treatments. What kept me from crashing was that I was always looking for solutions. [Clare adopted her daughter in 2005]. Parenting was the most incredible thing.

Medicine for a hangover?

An old Scottish combination of roast and some Irn-Bru. And the roast should include brioche buns.

What keeps you awake at night?

Everything. Don’t tell me anything because it will keep me up all night.

Do you have a phobia?

No. I was very afraid of everything and then I realized that it was useless. Now I really enjoy facing my fears.

Do you want to live forever?

No. It would be very tiring. I can’t wait to sleep long.

Altered Images’ album Mascara Streakz will be released by Cooking Vinyl on August 26.