DEAR DR. GOTT: I have just been diagnosed as having severe aortic valve stenosis. I am 95 years old with normal cholesterol and blood pressure readings and am generally in good health. I want to do something more efficacious than to just “wait and see”. I have a family doctor but need your very valuable second opinion and ask that you address the following concerns of mine.

At my age, I fear the result of any surgery would be negative. Is that true? Would you recommend the less-invasive balloon procedure? Can you recommend an exercise program to strengthen the heart and aortic valve to keep the blood flowing through the narrowing opening? Since the problem arises from calcium deposits on the aortic valve, would you recommend I stop taking calcium supplement tablets and my Actonel?
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