Heart Valve Voice
Leading physicians and patients have joined together to launch the first ever group – Heart Valve Voice – to tackle heart valve disease after new survey results highlighted a worrying lack of concern amongst the over 60s in the UK: the demographic most likely to suffer from the condition.
Results of the survey commissioned by Heart Valve Voice reveal that less than 3% of the UK’s over 60s are concerned by heart valve diseaseii even though it affects approximately one million people over 65 years of age in the UK.i Additionally, more than half of people aged over 60 claimed that their doctor rarely or never checks their heart with a stethoscope,ii despite this being one of the simplest ways to detect heart valve disease.[iii]
Heart Valve Voice, a new multidisciplinary group launched today, brings together patients and doctors in the field of heart valve disease. It aims to raise awareness of the severity of the disease, encourage its timely detection and ensure more patients receive the right treatment at the right time; ultimately leading to a future with greater quality and longevity of life.
The lack of awareness of heart valve disease amongst both patients and healthcare professionals is of increasing concern due to the poor prognosis if left untreated. Aortic stenosis, which affects 2-7% over 65s, can lead to death within two years if left untreated in severe symptomatic cases.[iv]
Additionally, epidemiological studies have identified a striking relationship between heart valve disease and advancing age, with estimates suggesting that by the age of 75, the prevalence of heart valve disease is over 13%.[v] With the UK over-65 population set to nearly double by 2050,[vi] this adds to the cause for concern.
Heart valve disease is severely debilitating and a potentially fatal conditioniii yet, many people put symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue, and chest pain,[vii] down to the natural ageing process. However, if diagnosed in good time, heart valve disease can be effectively treated through surgical or less-invasive procedures, improving the quality and longevity of life.
Heart Valve Voice believes every patient with heart valve disease, or those over 65 years of age at risk of heart valve disease, should receive a timely diagnosis, effective care and optimal treatment at the earliest opportunity. The group is calling for every patient to have a right to expect:
- Provision of understandable and accurate information about heart valve disease from their healthcare professional
- Automatic screening and routine stethoscope use to aid diagnosis whenever possible symptoms of heart valve disease or other comorbidities present
- Appropriate referral and follow-up between primary, secondary and tertiary care
- Access to treatment accompanied by a clear and personalized care plan
- Frequent updates, by a preferred method of communication, throughout the treatment pathway
[iii] Heart valve disease. Bupa. http://www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/health-information /directory/h/heart-valve-disease. Accessed: 24 March 2014.
[iv] Spaccarotella C et al. Pathophysiology of aortic stenosis and approach to treatment with percutaneous valve implantation. Circulation Journal. 2011;75:11-19.
[v] Nkomo V et al. Burden of valvular heart disease: a population-based study. Lancet. 2006; 368:1005-11.
[vi] Key issues for the New Parliament 2010. The ageing population. Available at: http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons/lib/research/key_issues/Key%20Issues%20The%20ageing%20population2007.pdf. Accessed 24 April 2014.
[vii] Lindroos M, Kupari M, Heikkala J, Tilvis R. Prevalence of aortic valve abnormalities in the elderly: an echocardiographic study of a random population sample. J Am Coll Cardiol 1993;21:1220-5.
About Heart Valve Voice
Heart Valve Voice is a multi-disciplinary group of experts in the field of heart valve disease including patients and representatives from cardiac societies, cardio-thoracic surgery, interventional cardiology, primary care and cardiac patient groups.
Formed in 2013, the group exists to help support people with heart valve disease and to drive change in the diagnosis, treatment and management of the condition in the UK to ultimately provide patients with longevity and quality of life. Further information on the group and heart valve disease can be found at www.heartvalvevoice.co.uk.
About heart valve disease
Heart valve disease is a condition caused by either wear or disease of the heart valve(s), affecting the flow of blood through the heart.[viii] When diseased or defective, heart valves may not open or close properly and can interfere with the flow of blood. The most common valve problems involve the mitral and aortic valves, which are located on the left side of the heart.vii
Aortic valve stenosis is most often due to age-related degeneration or hardening (calcification) of the aortic valve, leading to progressive narrowing (stenosis) or leakage – changes which compromise valve function and impair normal blood flow through the heart.vii
Heart valve disease and disorders are almost always detected during a medical visit. A heart “murmur” or “click-murmur” heard through a physician’s stethoscope is usually the first indication of a valve disorder.
Current clinical guidelines on the management of aortic stenosis make a clear distinction between symptomatic and asymptomatic conditions – however what they identify is the need to treat severe aortic stenosis. Without treatment, patients with severe disease face reduced longevity, and impairments in physical and social functioning and emotional well-being that contribute to poor quality of life.[ix],[x],[xi],[xii]
Many heart valve disease patients present in hospital with advanced heart failure[xiii],[xiv] and are ultimately denied optimal outcomes due to late access to surgery. Disease intervention data shows that nearly half (46%) of all isolated aortic valve replacement surgery patients and 42% of isolated mitral valve repair patients display advanced symptoms of heart failure at the time of surgery.
Recent research
In 2013 a European heart health survey was conducted among 9,579 people over the age of 60. It was completed online across 10 European countries. In the UK over 1005 over 65s participated in the survey to assess the awareness and understanding of heart valve disease, the level of concern of heart valve health and, the frequency of heart health check-ups and stethoscope testing.ii
WEBLINKS
For more information on heart valve disease and Heart Valve Voice, please visit the Heart Valve Voice website at: www.heartvalvevoice.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter @HeartValveVoice #HeartValveDisease #HeartValveVoice
BACKGROUND AND REGIONAL INFORMATION
The research for European Heart Valve Health was carried out online by Opinion Matters between 24/10/2013 and 13/12/2013 amongst a panel resulting in 9,579 respondents over the age of 60
Feeling older than your age? Think HEART Valve Disease:
Having chest pain – Are you suffering from chest pain, dizziness, or experiencing palpitations?
Exercise difficulties – Are you finding it difficult to exercise and move around as easily?
Age – Are you feeling older than your age?
Respiratory difficulties – Are you feeling short of breath?
Tiredness – Are you suffering from tiredness and fatigue?