The hidden health crises impacting Saudi Arabia’s older population
VHD, commonly referred to as a “silent pandemic,” is often overshadowed by other cardiovascular diseases. It is frequently overlooked and untreated, even though there are effective treatment options readily available.
50%
of patients with aortic stenosis who go untreated do not survive more than two years after the onset of symtoms.⁶
Neglecting to treat VHD in older people leads to life-threatening and expensive complications. Without intervention, the impact of VHD is predicted to rise due to the increasing incidence of the disease among the aging Saudi population.
Degenerative VHD is a significant health issue with profound implications for older populations.
However, diagnosis rates remain alarmingly low, leading to underprioritization of VHD as a health care concern in Saudi Arabia. Consequently, there is a lack of comprehensive data reflecting this condition’s true prevalence and financial burden.
Failure to diagnose and provide timely treatment for VHD leads to increased morbidity, mortality, and health care costs.23,24
Despite being treatable, VHD often goes unnoticed due to a lack of awareness about the disease and its symptoms. This can result in serious complications, such as heart failure and stroke, which are not only detrimental to individuals but also impose substantial financial strains on health care systems.24,26
Aortic stenosis, the most common form of VHD in elderly individuals in developed nations, is associated with several health complications.
Adverse outcomes include heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, sudden cardiac death, arrhythmias, endocarditis, and increased bleeding tendencies.6,8,15–27 If left untreated, severe symptomatic cases of aortic stenosis have a high mortality rate within two years.7
Degenerative calcific aortic valve stenosis is becoming a growing concern in Saudi Arabia, particularly in individuals over the age of 60.5
Evidence from other high-income countries suggests that, in cases of moderate and severe VHD, severe aortic stenosis is notably common in those aged 75 years and over.5,17 As the Saudi population ages, the importance of detecting and managing degenerative diseases such as VHD becomes paramount.22,28 Failing to acknowledge this demographic trend and establish comprehensive systems and policies to address it will have long-lasting health and economic consequences.29
Investing in better detection of VHD will enable adequate care and alleviate the burden on individuals, families, and societies – saving costs in the long run.
Effective treatments for VHD already exist, but low diagnosis rates limit their potential to reduce the impact of the disease. Systematic screening of people over the age of 60 will ensure that patients are connected to life-saving treatments. Timely treatment intervention will also prevent costly complications of VHD, reducing healthcare costs, as well as indirect costs due to poor health and mortality.30