Monday 1st August 2016
Heart Valve Voice held a busy check up event at the England Pakistan Test Match at the Emirates Old Trafford from 21st to 23rd July.
The Heart Valve Voice stand at the match offered stethoscope checks to over 50s in a bid to raise awareness of this crucial diagnosis tool. The check up event involved heart specialists from Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital and Blackpool Victoria Hospital who listened to over 250 hearts.
In GP surgeries, a healthcare professional can listen for a characteristic heart ‘murmur’ via a stethoscope, which is usually the first indication of a problem with the heart valves. This is often followed up with an echocardiogram test to confirm the diagnosis.
Wil Woan, Chief Executive of Heart Valve Voice said “We’re working with Lancashire County Cricket Club to offer checks to England fans throughout 2016 and beyond. We continue to promote stethoscope checks and echocardiogram tests for heart valve disease so they become incorporated as part of routine checks in the over 60s so that all suitable patients can be referred and have access to appropriate treatment at the right time”.
This disease affects a high proportion of the UK population, and it is worrying that there are such low levels of awareness and concern across the country. It’s hugely important that we continue to engage parliamentarians and policymakers to promote the use of the stethoscope and to work towards ensuring there is a clear and effective treatment pathway between primary care, secondary care and expert cardiac teams to ensure more effective management of the disease.
Mike Higginbottom, Chair of the Heart Valve Voice Patient Action Group said: “People with heart valve disease are not recognizing symptoms when they arise, or not receiving a quick heart check up when they visit their GP; events like these are important in raising awareness of this very treatable disease.”
See Mike’s story on our YouTube Channel.