(Washington, DC, Tuesday, February 22, 2022) – Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day is recognized every February 22 during American Heart Month and is dedicated to increasing recognition of the specific risk factors and symptoms of heart valve disease (HVD), improve detection and treatment, and ultimately save lives. This is the 6th year for Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day, and its 100+ partners will raise awareness about the disease throughout February and at a series of events on February 22nd.
As many as 11 million Americans are affected by HVD which involves damage to one or more of the heart’s valves. While some types are not serious, others can lead to major complications—including death. Despite the number of people impacted by this disease, an awareness survey found that three out of four adults knew little to nothing about HVD.
HVD can be successfully treated in patients of all ages if detected and treated in time. This makes recognition of symptoms, and awareness of risk factors critical.
With education and advocacy, more people can understand their risk, know to watch for symptoms, and get timely treatment. The Alliance for Aging Research is encouraging people who have conditions that put them at higher risk to ask for doctors to “listen” to their hearts regularly.
The most common risk factor is age—with one in ten people aged 75 and older estimated to have moderate to severe HVD. Other cardiovascular diseases and conditions are a significant risk factor: heart attacks can cause scarring of the heart muscle and distort the valves; an enlarged heart from congestive heart failure and other heart disease can stretch open a valve; long-term high blood pressure can cause heart damage; and aortic dissections or tears can extend to the valve. Additional risk factors include diabetes, valve damage from radiation and/or chemotherapy.
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.