Protect Your Heart: National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day
What Is Heart Valve Disease?
National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day, February 22, is devoted to raising awareness about the risks, symptoms, and available treatments for heart valve disease while encouraging proactive measures to promote cardiovascular health.
Heart valve disease, also known as valvular heart disease, is defined as a condition in which one or more valves of an individual’s heart fail to function properly, which can lead to various problems with blood flow. The heart has four valves: the aortic, mitral, pulmonary, and tricuspid. When these valves don’t operate properly, it can cause a number of serious issues, including:
- Stenosis: Restricted blood flow caused by a stiffened or narrowed valve.
- Regurgitation: Backward flow of blood caused by a valve’s failure to close completely.
- Atresia: Atresia can affect the pulmonary or tricuspid valve, preventing blood from flowing from one ventricle to another (in tricuspid atresia) or through the pulmonary artery (pulmonary atresia).
The Importance of Heart Health and National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day
While awareness of cardiovascular disease (CVD) as a leading cause of death is rising — thanks in large part to effective public health campaigns — many remain unaware of the different forms CVD can take and the importance of healthy heart valves. Each year, more than 5 million Americans are diagnosed with heart valve disease, leading to over 25,000 deaths.
Healthy lifestyle choices, early detection, and sticking to treatment plans can significantly improve health outcomes, underscoring the importance of disease awareness. By encouraging testing, supporting research, and advocating heart-healthy behaviors, we can help our loved ones improve their health.
Symptoms of Heart Valve Disease
Symptoms vary depending on the severity and stage of the disease, and some people may experience no symptoms at all — making testing the only reliable way to rule heart valve disease out. Those who experience symptoms tend to report common indicators of cardiopulmonary issues:
- Pain, pressure, or tightness in the chest
- Shortness of breath, especially while lying down
- Fatigue or weakness
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Fluttering or elevated heart rate
- Reduced energy
- Swollen ankles, feet, or abdomen
Unfortunately, the frequency of asymptomatic heart valve disease means that many individuals in need of treatment don’t know it until their condition progresses. Heart valve disease awareness is essential for encouraging testing even among those without symptoms, which can prevent disease progression and even death.
Risk Factors for Heart Valve Disease
Valvular heart disease can affect anyone at any age, but certain factors increase an individual’s risk:
- Age: Risk increases as individuals age.
- Infection History: Certain illnesses, such as rheumatic fever, increase the likelihood that someone develops heart valve disease.
- Hypertension: High blood pressure can put strain on your heart valves and increase the risk of valve disease.
- Hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and other general CVD risk factors: High cholesterol, diabetes, smoking tobacco, and other things known to compromise cardiovascular health increase one’s risk for valvular heart disease.
What You Can Do on National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day
National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day encourages individuals to take steps to protect their heart health and raise awareness in their communities.
Know the Signs, Risk Factors, and Importance of Testing
Educating yourself and your loved ones about the symptoms and risk factors of heart valve disease is the first step toward prevention and early detection.
Schedule Regular Checkups
Routine visits to your healthcare provider can help detect heart valve disease early. Doctors may listen for a heart murmur or recommend diagnostic tests, such as EKGs, if concerns arise. Encourage loved ones to be diligent with their own checkups as well.
Spread Awareness
Share information about heart valve disease with family, friends, and your community. Individuals can share resources and information, like this article, in person or via social media.
Support Specialized Cardiac Care Close to Home
Consider donating to Vail Health’s Cardiovascular Center, which helps ensure residents and visitors of Eagle and Summit counties receive the best life-saving cardiac care.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Heart health often starts with lifestyle choices. Regular exercise, a heart-healthy diet, managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and avoiding smoking can all reduce your risk of heart valve disease and other cardiovascular conditions.
Protect Yourself and Your Community from Heart Valve Disease
Heart valve disease is a serious condition, but outcomes improve dramatically with early detection. National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day serves as a vital reminder to learn about the risks, take proactive steps to protect your heart, and encourage others to do the same.
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms that could indicate valvular heart disease, or if it has been a while since your last checkup, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider or Vail Health’s Cardiovascular Center today.
Through education, awareness, and lifestyle changes, we can work together to reduce the burden of heart valve disease and ensure healthier, longer lives.
