National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day

National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day

Recognized every February 22 during American Heart Month, National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day is an annual day dedicated to raising awareness about heart valve disease. For this reason, knowing its risk factors, symptoms, and treatment reduces the burden of the disease. The awareness color associated with heart valve disease is red.

Heart Value Disease Detection

Heart valve disease affects 11 million Americans. However, public awareness of the disease is shockingly low. A 2017 survey of more than 2,000 adults found that three out of four Americans know little to nothing about valve disease. 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. In addition, heart valve disease can be disabling and deadly. It can, however, usually be successfully treated in patients of all ages. Treatment, however, needs to occur in time, making education and awareness particularly important.

National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day Campaign

The Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day campaign increases recognition of the specific heart valve disease risks and symptoms, improves detection and treatment, and ultimately save lives. Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day takes place every February 22 during American Heart Month. On this day and throughout the year, the campaign partners with others. This includes, for example, 100+ non-profits, advocacy organizations, professional societies, foundations, hospitals, and heart centers. Further, they join forces to help spread the word about valve disease. While partners educate about heart valve disease awareness throughout the year, a dedicated day allows for collaboration and to amplify each other’s messages. Patient advocates join from across the country and even around the world. Further, these advocates share their stories and use their voices to help raise awareness and save lives.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recognizes Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day on its National Health Observances calendar, and by resolutions in the U.S. Congress. To date, the campaign has produced more than a billion impressions and reached more than 166 million through high-impact engagement.

Statistics about Heart Valve Disease

Each year, approximately 25,000 people die from heart valve disease. For this reason, successful treatment depends on understanding risk factors, recognizing symptoms, and getting timely treatment. Unfortunately, three out of four Americans report knowing little to nothing about the disease.

Heart Attack Symptoms

Chest Discomfort

Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

Discomfort in Other Areas of the Upper Body

Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

Shortness of Breath

Shortness of breath occurs with or without chest discomfort.

Other Signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Stroke Symptoms

Spot a stroke F.A.S.T.

F-ace Drooping
Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.

A-rm Weakness
Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S-peech Difficulty
Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “the sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?

T-ime to Call 911
If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 and get them to the hospital immediately.

(Image: www.heart-valve-surgery.com)