News

2022 is upon us, and I wanted to take the opportunity to reflect on Heart Valve Voice’s achievements in 2021 and look forward to 2022. 2022 presents valve disease patients and the nation with a complex challenge, but we at Heart Valve Voice have put together an ambitious strategy to ensure we continue to support patients and improve the detection and diagnosis of the condition.

Today Heart Valve Voice launch our State of the Nation: Heart Valve Disease in Scotland Report, which looks at the detection, diagnosis and treatment of heart valve disease in Scotland.

After being born with a hole in her heart, Angie Martin first had open heart surgery when she was a small girl. Fast forward 40 years and Angie's leaky valve began to deteriorate and needed urgent intervention. After being told she needed an operation, a pandemic stopped the world in its tracks. However, despite the pressures on the health service, and thanks to the team's brilliant work at Harefield, Angie received her life-saving treatment.

Heart Valve Voice is delighted to see today’s publication of NICE’s guideline on heart valve disease presenting in adults. The publication of these guidelines marks is a key moment for Heart Valve Voice, our patient community and future valve disease patients.

Heart Valve Voice welcomes the announcement from NHS England regarding the creation of 40 Community Diagnostic Centres (CDC). Heart Valve Voice has advocated the delivery of these services since Professor Sir Mike Richards released his report, and are firm believers that they will improve cardiovascular services immeasurably.

In 2020, retired postman, Lewis Benn was treated for severe aortic stenosis at the beginning of the Covid outbreak. After facing delays to treatment, and with his health deteriorating, Lewis received a non-invasive procedure, and has now made a full recovery and is enjoying a great quality of life after treatment.