Heart Valve Voice is the UK’s dedicated heart valve disease charity. Established in 2014 and inspired by heart valve disease patient Lydia Monk, we work with patients and clinicians to help increase the awareness of heart valve disease in the UK and improve diagnosis and treatment.
Heart valve disease affects over 1.5 million people over the age of 65 in the UK and while there have been many advancements in the treatment of this disease the unfortunate fact is that far too many people are not being diagnosed and treated early enough. Our aim is to ensure that more of the population is aware of the importance of having their heart checked for heart valve disease, which can often be detected through a simple stethoscope check. With increased awareness we hope to see many more heart valve disease patients get the treatment they need to go on to live full and happy lives.
Behind the work of Heart Valve Voice is the mission to bring attention to a disease that affects over 1.5 million people over the age of 65 in the UK, according to a 2016 Heart Valve Disease Survey. Awareness of this disease is very low in the UK, despite its prevalence, with an average of 94% of people over the age of 60 being unaware of what aortic stenosis (the most common heart valve disease) is. The disease is easily detectable and diagnosis can involve a simple stethoscope exam from a primary care practitioner.
Heart valve disease: it's common, it's serious, but it's treatable.