#ListenToYourHeart
Heart Valve Disease Awareness Week September 15 -21
Heart Valve Disease Awareness Week is a national campaign, led by Heart Valve Voice Canada for the past six years.
Described as ‘the next cardiac' epidemic’, heart valve disease affects over one million Canadians, yet public awareness remains low.
Heart valve disease is common, serious but treatable. Signs you might have heart valve disease include: breathlessness, dizziness, and fatigue; however, some people have no symptoms at all.
A simple stethoscope check is the first step to detect heart valve disease.
So if you feel like something’s wrong, then listen to your heart!
The heart has four valves that open and close to control blood flow to your body. If one or more of those valves don’t open or close properly, that means you may have heart valve disease.
It may be something you were born with, or that develops during your life. However, many people with heart valve disease have no symptoms, so it is important to have your heart listened to regularly.
Symptoms
The symptoms of heart valve disease vary, depending on which valve is affected and how badly it has been damaged. Some are not always obvious, and are often dismissed as a general sign of aging.
Here are the most common ones to watch for:
Fatigue or reduced exercise ability
Shortness of breath or fatigue after a previously normal amount of activity
Irregular heartbeat
Dizziness
Chest pain
Fainting
Ankle swelling
Click here to learn more about heart valve disease.
What can you do to address heart valve disease?
What is heart valve disease?
“Listen To Your Heart”
Heart Valve Voice Canada is excited to partner with Shoppers Drug Mart Canada to offer free stethoscope check events during Heart Valve Disease Awareness Week (September 15-21).
Don’t leave your heart health to chance—make plans to attend one of these events!
Resources
Symptom Tracker
Our symptom tracker has been developed to help people who think they may have heart valve disease, or other cardiac conditions, prior to or during consultation periods with their doctor. It captures symptoms to help you and your doctor understand your health and assist with diagnosis and ongoing care planning.
Initial Consultation Guide
This guide will help you prepare for an appointment with your doctor and support an efficient, informative, and helpful consultation. It outlines the types of questions your doctor may ask you during the consultation, as well as questions you'll want to consider asking.
Shared decision making
People diagnosed with heart valve disease are often confronted with a wide range of treatment options. Shared decision-making involves doctors and patients working together to choose the most suitable treatment, based on the patient’s preferences and goals as well as clinical evidence and the care team’s expertise. These resources aim to support people with heart valve disease in participating in decision-making about their care.
Get the shared-decision making guide
