Insulin resistance may make men more prone to common heart valve disease

Insulin resistance can increase the risk of aortic stenosis, a common heart valve disease, in men over the age of 45, finds a study on Wednesday.

The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Annals of Medicine, may open doors for new treatments for aortic stenosis, which can lead to life-threatening heart failure.

Aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve narrows or does not open fully, reducing blood flow from the heart to the body. If not addressed timely, the valve will gradually thicken and stiffen, making the heart work harder to pump blood.