Scott Mann met with Heart Valve Voice in Parliament last week to hear more about the organisation and heart valve disease in the UK. He had his heart checked for heart valve disease at the awareness event, which involved a heart specialist listening to his heart using a stethoscope. A doctor can listen for a characteristic heart ‘murmur’ via a stethoscope, which is usually the first indication of a problem with the heart valves. This is often followed up with an echocardiogram test to confirm the diagnosis.
A recent survey revealed 94% of the over 60s in the UK do not know what aortic stenosis is, and 72% of over 60s reported that they rarely, or never, have their hearts listened to by a doctor. This is despite annual mortality of severe aortic stenosis being considerably higher than most cancers * and heart valve disease affecting approximately one million people over 65 years of age in the UK. If left untreated, heart valve disease is irreversible and can progress to heart failure and ultimately death. Once patients are diagnosed, Heart Valve Voice is also calling for a clearer pathway between primary, secondary and tertiary care to ensure more effective management of the disease across the UK.
Scott Mann said:
“It was fascinating to learn more about heart valve disease in parliament, which affects a high proportion of the UK population. It’s worrying that there are such low levels of awareness across the country, and I welcome the work of Heart Valve Voice in raising awareness and seeking to improve diagnosis and treatment of heart valve disease.”
Shelley Rahman-Haley, Consultant Cardiologist, Royal Brompton Hospital and Heart Valve Voice Trustee said:
“People with heart valve disease are not recognizing symptoms when they arise, or not receiving a quick heart check-up when they visit their GP. There is significant under diagnosis as well as incorrect referrals due to a lack of education and awareness. Heart Valve Voice is campaigning for stethoscope checks and echocardiogram tests for heart valve disease to be incorporated as part of routine checks in the over 60s so that all suitable patients can be referred and have access to appropriate treatment at the right time.”
Heart valve disease is a progressive condition usually associated with ageing, whereby the heart valves become damaged through wear or disease and cease to work properly. When the valves are diseased it can rapidly affect the pumping action of blood around the body. The condition is treatable if identified early enough and can be diagnosed by simply listening to the heart with a stethoscope and followed up with an echocardiogram.
Many patients do not suffer severe or visible symptoms, or put their symptoms down to the natural ageing process, making diagnosis difficult. It is important to diagnose early as, if severe aortic stenosis is left untreated, half of those patients will die within two years of developing symptoms. There are treatments which are very effective at treating symptoms, improving life expectancy and helping patients return to a normal life.
Wil Woan, Chief Executive of Heart Valve Voice said:
“Heart Valve Voice is grateful for the support of Scott Mann MP who is highlighting the importance of increased awareness and treatment of heart valve disease within their constituency. It’s hugely important that we continue to engage parliamentarians and policymakers to promote the use of the stethoscope and to work towards ensuring there is a clear and effective treatment pathway between primary care, secondary care and expert heart teams to ensure more effective management of the disease. The more we listen, the more lives we save.”
