Which valve dysfunction is typically classified as a disease of "wear and tear" in older adults?

Aortic stenosis is recognized as a condition that commonly arises from age-related changes, often referred to as "wear and tear." In older adults, the aortic valve can undergo calcification and stiffening, primarily due to age, which results in narrowing (stenosis) of the valve opening. This can lead to increased pressure in the heart's left ventricle as it works harder to pump blood through the narrowed opening, resulting in symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

This aging process and the associated mechanical stress on the aortic valve distinguish aortic stenosis from other types of valve dysfunction, which may have different underlying causes and are not solely attributable to age-related wear and tear. For example, mitral valve prolapse is often due to connective tissue disorders rather than age, tricuspid stenosis is relatively rare and often linked to other conditions, and aortic regurgitation may be associated with conditions such as rheumatic fever or congenital issues rather than just aging. Hence, aortic stenosis is specifically characterized as a disease resulting from cumulative wear and tear in older adults.