In England, clinical guidelines are developed by an independent non-departmental public body, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). NICE appoints an independent advisory committee for the guidelines, comprising healthcare professionals as well as lay representatives with lived experience, assisted by teams whose work covers evidence review and support, health economic evaluation, guideline recommendation development and quality assurance. Registered stakeholders with an interest in the guideline topic, or representing people whose practice or care may be affected by the guideline, are consulted on the draft guidelines. NICE guidelines help health professionals deliver the best possible care in the [...]

I was approached by Heart Valve Voice to participate in the NICE Guideline consultation after sharing my heart valve disease story. After my story was first published, I spoke with the team and was keen to get involved in helping support other patients living with valve disease and use my experience to give back, so when they contacted me to say I could help shape guidelines, I was more than happy to get involved and contribute.  Before the consultation, I worked with the team to understand what parts of my story would be valuable and how I could help support [...]

As we mark 25 years of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the impact of its Guideline for ‘Heart valve disease presenting in adults: investigation and management’ published in 2021. Heart Valve Voice’s journey to the final guideline started in 2016 in the Churchill Rooms in Westminster. We were there to launch our Heart Healthy Future report. The then National Clinical Director for Heart Disease, Professor Huon Gray, attended the event. That day, Professor Gray told me that he had instructed NICE to look at the guidelines for [...]

In the realm of healthcare, the perception of cardiovascular disease (CVD) often conjures images of middle-aged men clutching their chests. However, this image overlooks a critical reality: women are equally susceptible to cardiovascular disease, yet their symptoms are often under-investigated, under-diagnosed and under-treated in comparison. As a society, it is imperative to dispel the gendered myths shrouding CVD and recognise the profound impact they have on women's health outcomes. In the United Kingdom, CVD remains the leading cause of mortality among women, claiming the lives of approximately 28,000 women annually. Statistics reveal that women are more likely to die within the [...]

As a ‘mostly retired’ Cardiologist, I find myself reflecting on heart valve disease (HVD) and the changes related to it that have occurred over the past decade. Whilst well recognised by specialists for many decades, levels of awareness of HVD in the general population has been low, with detection and diagnosis often occurring late, making treatment less effective. However, I am pleased to see that awareness of these conditions is at last improving, and there is the prospect of more people who are currently undetected being diagnosed and referred for specialist care. There is still a long way to go, [...]

Heart disease claims millions of lives each year around the world, and the impact on individuals, families, and communities is immeasurable. Heart Month shines a spotlight on heart disease, and looks at how we can promote awareness of the disease and save lives in the future. While heart valve disease is a serious condition, it is treatable - and better symptom awareness brings earlier detection and better outcomes. Raising awareness is the cornerstone of our efforts to empower individuals with knowledge, encouraging proactive steps towards owning their heart health. Awareness is not just about knowing the statistics; it's about fostering [...]