Alliance for Aging Research Gets to the Heart of Aortic Stenosis

New Interactive Campaign Offers Information and Education

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Jun 11, 2014, 05:39 ET

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new campaign from the Alliance for Aging Research aims to raise awareness about the effects of aortic stenosis, a disease caused by the gradual buildup of calcium deposits in the aortic valve. It affects more than 1.5 million Americans. If left untreated, aortic stenosis can lead to fainting, chest pain, fatigue and, in worst case scenarios, death.

This interactive, multimedia campaign features videos, quizzes, podcasts and other resources. Its main goals are to educate about the seriousness of aortic stenosis and offer insights on how it is treated, with an added emphasis on its impact on older Americans.

"People of all ages suffer from aortic stenosis, but this condition is even more prevalent in Americans over 75," says Lindsay Clarke, vice president of Health Programs for the Alliance. "The symptoms of aortic stenosis are often improperly dismissed as a normal part of aging, and older adults are often made to believe that they are not good candidates for surgery. Our campaign features user-friendly resources that anyone can use to educate themselves on this condition and to learn that this is not a normal part of aging that older adults must accept."

Resources for the campaign include:

A short "pocket film" that takes a comprehensive look at aortic stenosis, with a focus on older adults
A guide for health care professionals, including highlights from the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology 2014 guidelines on valve disease
Videos and podcasts from experts offering insights into the condition
Facts, figures and helpful information shared through the Alliance's Twitter handle @aging_research using #stenosisawareness

Complete resources are available here. For more information or to learn how you can use these resources for your own outreach efforts, please contact Noel Lloyd at [email protected] or 202.370.7852.

About the Alliance for Aging Research
The Alliance for Aging Research is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the pace of scientific discoveries and their application in order to vastly improve the universal human experience of aging and health. The Alliance was founded in 1986 in Washington, D.C., and has since become a valued advocacy organization and a respected influential voice with policymakers. Visit agingresearch.org for more information.

SOURCE Alliance for Aging Research