Final answer:
Stenosis is the narrowing of bodily passages like heart valves, making the heart work harder. Aortic stenosis is common in older populations and critical cases may require emergency surgery. Incompetence refers to the failure of an organ, such as a heart valve, to function properly.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stenosis is a pathological condition characterized by the narrowing of a bodily passage, commonly affecting the heart valves. This rigidity and potential calcification reduce the valve's flexibility, resulting in increased cardiac workload and potentially weakening the heart over time. Incompetence, in a medical context, refers to the inability of an organ, such as a valve, to function properly; for example, valvular incompetence leads to insufficient closure and causes blood to flow backward. Notable in conditions such as aortic stenosis, the prevalence increases with age, and severe cases, especially post-myocardial infarction, may necessitate urgent surgical intervention.
In the case of heart valve stenosis, individuals over the age of 65 are notably affected, with approximately 2 percent diagnosed with the condition. This percentage rises to about 4 percent in those over 85. The condition can deteriorate sharply if associated with the tearing of chordae tendineae or the death of papillary muscle due to a heart attack, underscoring the need for prompt medical attention.