National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day 2022: Symptoms & Prevention

Every year, on the second Wednesday of February, National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day is observed. It’s a day dedicated to raising awareness about heart valve disease (HVD). With the increasing importance of heart health, this observance serves as a critical reminder of how vital heart valves are to our overall health and why we must prioritise their care.

What is Heart Valve Disease?

The heart consists of four valves: the mitral valve, aortic valve, tricuspid valve, and pulmonary valve. These valves regulate the flow of blood in and out of the heart’s chambers, ensuring the heart pumps blood efficiently to the lungs and throughout the rest of the body. When these valves don’t function properly, the flow of blood is disrupted, leading to heart valve disease. There are two major types of heart valve diseases:

1. Stenosis: This occurs when the valve becomes narrowed, which restricts the blood flow. This condition is common in the aortic and mitral valves.
2. Regurgitation (or Insufficiency): In this condition, the valve doesn’t close properly. This type can occur in any of the four heart valves.

Heart valve disease can develop slowly over time and may be asymptomatic in its early stages. This means that individuals might not be aware that they have it until it causes significant complications, which is why awareness is crucial. In severe cases, untreated heart valve disease can lead to heart failure or stroke, making early detection and management essential.

The Importance of National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day

National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day was created by the Alliance for Aging Research to draw attention to the increasing prevalence of heart valve disease, especially in older adults, and to encourage preventive measures and early detection. The day also aims to:

• Raise awareness about the risk factors.
• Educate the public on the symptoms of heart valve problems and when to seek medical attention.
• Highlight advances in treatment and the available options for those diagnosed with heart valve disease.
• Encourage regular check-ups to ensure early detection of heart valve disease, which can improve treatment outcomes.

Who is at Risk?

While heart valve disease can affect people of all ages, certain groups are more at risk, particularly older adults. Here are some of the key risk factors:

1. Age: As we age, the heart valves naturally undergo wear and tear. Over time, they can become stiff, calcified, or damaged, leading to stenosis or regurgitation. 
2. Heart Conditions: Individuals with a history of heart disease, such as congenital heart defects, rheumatic fever, or a previous heart attack, are more likely to develop heart valve disease. Rheumatic fever, in particular, can cause valve damage, especially in the mitral and aortic valves.
3. High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol: Conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol can put stress on the heart and contribute to the development of heart valve problems. These conditions can cause the heart's valves to become damaged or weakened over time.
4. Infections: Certain infections, such as endocarditis, can damage the heart valves and lead to valve disease.
5. Family History: If you have a family history of heart valve problems or congenital heart defects, you may be more likely to develop similar conditions.
6. Lifestyle Choices: Smoking, a poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and excessive alcohol consumption can raise the risk of heart valve disease. 

Symptoms to Watch Out For

Heart valve disease can be subtle, and that’s why it’s important to understand the signs and seek medical help if you experience any of the following:

• Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity.
• Fatigue or feeling unusually tired, even after a good night's sleep.
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen due to fluid buildup caused by heart failure.
• Chest pain, which could indicate a serious problem with the heart valves.
• Irregular heartbeat or palpitations (a fluttering feeling in the chest).
• Fainting or dizziness may be caused by a lack of blood flow.
• Coughing (sometimes with blood-tinged sputum), especially when lying down.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider, who can conduct the necessary tests, such as an echocardiogram, to diagnose heart valve disease.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Early diagnosis of heart valve disease can significantly improve treatment outcomes. To diagnose heart valve disease, doctors typically use the following:

• Physical exam: A doctor will listen to your heart with a stethoscope.
• Echocardiogram: This test uses sound waves to create images.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test records the electrical activity of the heart.
• Cardiac catheterisation: In some cases, doctors may use this procedure to get a closer look at the heart’s arteries and valves.

Treatment options include:

1. Medication: Medications can help reduce the strain on the heart.
2. Surgical Repair or Replacement: Surgical options include:
• Valve repair: Where the existing valve is repaired to improve function.
• Valve replacement: A damaged valve is replaced with a mechanical or biological valve.
3. Minimally invasive procedures: Newer techniques such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) offer less invasive alternatives for valve replacement, especially for patients who are not candidates for traditional open-heart surgery.

Prevention and Healthy Habits

While you can’t always prevent heart valve disease, some lifestyle changes can decrease your risk. Here are some tips for maintaining a healthy heart:

• Eat a heart-healthy diet: Focus on a balanced diet. Reducing your intake of sodium and unhealthy fats is also important.
• Exercise regularly: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. Exercise helps maintain healthy blood pressure.
• Avoid smoking and excessive drinking: It can damage the heart and increase the risk of heart valve disease.
• Monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels: Regular check-ups and maintaining healthy levels can prevent damage to your heart valves.
• Get vaccinated: Vaccinations, such as the flu shot, can help prevent infections like endocarditis that can affect the heart valves.

Conclusion

National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day is a reminder that heart valve disease can be a silent condition, often going unnoticed until it becomes serious. Awareness, early diagnosis, and regular check-ups are crucial in managing this condition and ensuring that people lead healthier, longer lives.

Take this day to learn more about your heart and how to care for it. Whether it’s through a check-up, lifestyle changes, or simply raising awareness, every step counts when it comes to heart health.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is heart valve disease?

 Heart valve disease takes place when one or more of the heart's valves don't function properly, either by becoming narrowed (stenosis) or not closing properly (regurgitation). 

2. What are the main symptoms of heart valve disease?

Symptoms include shortness of breath and swelling in the legs or abdomen, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and dizziness. If you experience any of these, consult a doctor for further evaluation.

3. Who is at risk for heart valve disease?

Older adults (especially those over 65), people with a history of heart conditions or infections, individuals with high blood pressure or cholesterol, and those with a family history of heart valve issues are at higher risk.

4. How is heart valve disease diagnosed?

It’s typically diagnosed through a physical exam, an echocardiogram, an electrocardiogram (ECG), or in some cases, cardiac catheterisation. These tests help doctors assess the heart's function and the condition of its valves.

5. Can heart valve disease be prevented?

While some risk factors, like age, can’t be controlled, maintaining a healthy lifestyle—such as eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, not smoking, and managing blood pressure and cholesterol—can help reduce the risk of developing heart valve disease.

6. Why is National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day important?

This day helps raise awareness about heart valve disease, encourages early detection, educates people on symptoms, and promotes the importance of regular heart check-ups, all of which can lead to better outcomes and improved heart health.