(Washington, D.C., Thursday, February 20, 2020) – National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day is recognized every February 22 during American Heart Month, and is dedicated to increasing recognition of the specific risks and symptoms of heart valve disease, improve detection and treatment, and ultimately save lives.

Despite the fact that as many as 11 million Americans are affected by Heart valve disease (HVD), a recent survey of more than 2,000 adults found that 3 out of 4 Americans know little to nothing about HVD, and only one in four know somewhat or a great deal about the disease.

HVD becomes more common with age, and one in ten people age 75 and older are estimated to have moderate to severe HVD.

The seriousness of the disease, combined with the fact that symptoms are often difficult to detect or dismissed as a normal part of aging, makes this lack of awareness dangerous.

Since 1986, the Alliance for Aging Research has served as a trusted source of health information for both consumers and health care professionals on diseases and conditions that disproportionately affect older people, and has led numerous successful advocacy campaigns promoting the health and independence of older adults. Learn more about the Alliance at www.agingresearch.org.