Contents
Contributors
Foreword
Executive summary
The patient care journey and a call to action
The hidden health crises impacting Saudi Arabia’s older population
What is valvular heart disease?
Why are people with valvular heart disease in Saudi Arabia not getting treated?
Opportunities for improving patient care for aortic stenosis in primary care
Barriers to care and missed opportunities for intervention
Policy recommendations
Glossary
References
This policy brief focuses on the impact of valvular heart disease (VHD), particularly aortic stenosis, on older individuals in Saudi Arabia. It aims to raise awareness, address gaps, and provide practical solutions for policy-makers, decision-makers, and health care professionals to improve the detection, diagnosis, treatment, and management of VHD.
Medical societies, non-governmental organizations, and the media play a crucial role in raising awareness and dispelling misconceptions about aging that may prevent individuals from seeking advice or accepting treatment.