Acting like one-way, hinge-like doors, the heart valves play a crucial role in maintaining overall heart health by ensuring that blood flows in the correct direction through the heart’s four chambers and out into the body.
“The heart valves are made of thin but incredibly strong layers of tissue, mainly collagen and elastin, which allow them to open and close with every heartbeat,” says Federico E. Azpurua, MD, FACC, a board-certified interventional cardiologist with South Texas Health System (STHS) Clinics. “They open wide to let blood move forward and seal tightly to prevent it from flowing backward.”
As the valve narrows, a condition known as aortic stenosis, the heart muscle thickens and weakens and forces the organ to work much harder to push blood through the smaller opening.
“Over time, the increased workload placed on the heart can compromise its strength and function, resulting in serious complications—most notably a higher risk of heart failure if left untreated,” says Dr. Azpurua.
In the United States, more than five million people are affected by aortic stenosis each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with its prevalence rising significantly to 12.4% in adults over 75.
A chronic, progressive and potentially fatal disease, aortic stenosis significantly impairs quality of life by causing symptoms like chest pain, severe fatigue, dizziness and shortness of breath, which restrict physical activity and social function.
“Once symptoms appear, severe aortic stenosis carries a life expectancy of only about one to two years,” says Dr. Azpurua. “Swift intervention is essential to prevent irreversible heart damage, reduce mortality and avoid emergency hospitalizations. Acting early, even before symptoms develop, can significantly lower the risk of heart failure, stroke and death.”
To help educate Rio Grande Valley residents about the common heart valve disease and how to prevent, manage and overcome it, STHS will dedicate the latest episode of its monthly “South Texas Healthy Living” television program to aortic stenosis.
Broadcast live on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. on KGBT 4.1, the program will feature an interview with Dr. Azpurua on the causes, risk factors and symptoms associated with aortic stenosis, as well as the treatment options available locally for the life-threatening condition.
Additionally, STHS System Director of Marketing & Public Relations and “South Texas Healthy Living” host Tom Castañeda sits down with an elderly Brownsville man who experienced a rapid decline in his health and overall quality of life after being diagnosed with aortic stenosis, leaving him to believe his life would soon end. However, a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure to replace his damaged aortic valve ultimately provided him with a renewed sense of hope and a dramatically improved outlook on life.
The program will also feature a special healthy cooking segment led by Patrick Woodin, STHS McAllen’s director of dietary & nutrition services, an exercise demonstration with a member of the STHS Edinburg Outpatient Rehabilitation Center team and important strategies for preventing and managing aortic stenosis.
“Preventing problems caused by aortic stenosis starts with understanding its symptoms, making heart-healthy lifestyle changes and keeping up with regular checkups. These steps can go a long way in protecting your heart and avoiding serious, long-term damage,” says Castañeda. “In this new episode of ‘South Texas Healthy Living,’ we’ll share simple, helpful information — including exercise ideas and nutrition tips — to support the health of your heart valves. Our goal is to help our community feel empowered to take charge of their heart health as they work to get healthy and stay healthy.”
To better understand aortic stenosis and its associated complications, don’t miss the latest episode of “South Texas Healthy Living” on Sunday, February 22 at 10:00 a.m. on KGBT 4.1, with an encore presentation on Sunday, March 1 at 9:00 a.m. on KVEO-TV NBC 23.
To watch previous episodes of “South Texas Healthy Living” and the system’s South Texas Health Updates, one minute videos offering education on various health issues, visit South Texas Health System’s Medical Minute page on ValleyCentral.com.
About South Texas Health System
South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system's South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart, and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.
