Almost seven years ago, MP, Steve McCabe had open heart surgery to repair his mitral valve.

The surgery was intense; hours in the operating theatre, vast volumes of anaesthetic and time spent on a ventilator. “When I eventually came round, I wasn’t actually sure if I’d survived,” he says.

After the major surgery, he was in intensive care for three days and on a recovery ward for another two weeks. “It was a long and arduous process, and, despite being quite a determined character, I have to confess there were periods when I began to doubt that I’d ever be OK again.”

Even though Steve lives a full and active life now, he says: “After my treatment, I had a long recovery time, which meant I had to be off work for six months. I wish I had been more aware of the treatment options available and chosen a less invasive procedure.”

Early diagnosis and patient education is key

Steve stresses the importance of early diagnosis of heart valve disease, which can be achieved simply by listening to the heart with a stethoscope.

Untreated, heart valve disease can progress to heart failure and ultimately death but, identified early enough, it is treatable, and a less-invasive treatment procedures may be appropriate.

I am living proof that, with early diagnosis and proper treatment, these conditions needn’t be debilitating.

“As someone who has experienced heart valve disease, I know first-hand the importance of receiving timely treatment and how this can return people to a good quality of life, so it is important that this can be provided across the whole country.”

But do people know enough about the need for diagnosis or the options available to them? Steve feels more must be done. “I believe we must continue to work together to ensure that people living with these conditions have access to the care and support they need,” says Steve.

“It is vital that people are better educated on the condition, are aware of the symptoms and know what treatments options are available to ensure more lives are saved.”

Innovations in treatment

“I am living proof that, with early diagnosis and proper treatment, these conditions needn’t be debilitating. My advice to patients would be to speak to your clinician about the treatment options available so that you can make an informed choice.”

To find out more about heart valve disease, read more on Heart Valve Voice

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Innovations in heart valve technology and implantation systems are set to transform the lives of more people with heart valve disease.

Heart valve disease is a common condition that can turn into a killer

Half of UK over-65s have some level of disease related to heart structure. Over one in 10 – around 1.5 million people – have moderate or severe disease. By 2040, this is expected to reach 2.7 million.

Statistics show that, of those with the most common heart valve disease, severe aortic stenosis, half will die within two years and only 3% survive five years.

Part of the problem is detection. Chris Young, the heart surgeon and chair of the charity, Heart Valve Voice (HVV), says: “The main symptoms are breathlessness and feeling tired, but many people attribute this to age.”

Once suspected, heart valve disease can be diagnosed by listening to the heart through a stethoscope – but only 7% of UK GP consultations include this (compared to 79% in France).

Treatment in less severe conditions usually starts with monitoring. “Monitoring means we can predict when valve repair is needed,” says Young. Traditionally, this required open heart surgery, but new techniques are making this faster, easier and safer.

Treatment innovations use tissue from cow or pig hearts

Innovative heart valves have recently been tested in the UK TAVI Trial. The valves, made of tissue taken from cow or pig hearts, are used to repair the patient’s damaged aortic valve, using transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

The valve is threaded into the body, usually via the femoral artery, until it reaches the patient’s own aortic valve, where it takes over the task of pumping blood.

Catheterisation typically takes one to two hours and the typical hospital stay is three to five days. Procedure time, days in hospital and the risk of complications are lower than with traditional open heart surgery.

Young says: “The TAVI trial will deliver more information about valve performance and patient outcomes. TAVI is underused in the NHS at present but I expect it to become mainstream in the next few years.”

A new lease of life

Heart valve repairs can deliver dramatic new energy and lengthen patients’ lives.

“Typically, those who have successful surgery go on to live longer than their peers who have had no heart valve problems,” says Young. The effort of pushing blood through an abnormal valve makes the heart stronger, so once the problem is corrected the heart is more efficient than average, he explains.

I’ve seen people who, before surgery, were only able to walk slowly, transformed into people who can achieve more than they ever could before.

More and better treatment

Inequalities of diagnosis and under-treatment of heart valve disease has spurred HVV to work with valve care specialists and patients to create Gold Standard of Care Guidelines. “These will help optimise patient care, improve access and influence policy makers on behalf of heart valve disease patients,” says Young.

HVV is now helping develop the 2019 NICE heart valve disease guidelines, and the issue will be debated in Parliament soon.

Meanwhile, Young counsels: “Ask for a stethoscope check. Undetected heart valve disease can kill.”

To find out more about heart valve disease, read more on Heart Valve Voice

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Know the symptoms – if you are feeling dizzy, breathless, fatigued and have chest pains, it could be a sign of heart valve disease.

Across the UK, approximately 1.5 million people aged over 65 are affected by heart valve disease.

According to the OxVALVE Study, this will increase by 122% to as many as 3.3 million by 2056, yet many are not aware they are have a condition that can be effectively treated if diagnosed early.

Despite its prevalence, knowledge of heart valve disease is limited. According to a Heart Valve Voice survey of 1,411 people over the age of 60, 94% did not know what aortic stenosis was and only 3% were concerned about valve disease in comparison with other illnesses.

Don’t ignore the symptoms

“Many over 65s mistakenly believe that symptoms of valve disease – such as breathlessness, fatigue and chest pains – are merely a sign of ageing,” says Wil Woan, Heart Valve Voice CEO.

“We are campaigning to highlight the importance of recognising symptoms, improve diagnosis through regular heart checks, and streamlining the patient treatment pathway.”

The 10-year plan

The NHS recently revealed their 10 Year Plan with a focus for the first time on heart valve disease. This announcement came just ahead of the launch of our own Gold Standard of Care Report. Working with leading UK valve disease care specialists, the report sets out the ideal process to achieve the perfect valve disease patient pathway.

For patients with heart valve disease, a consistent patient pathway is key to ensuring that they receive the correct treatment at the right time. If heart valve disease is caught early enough, more severe complications such as heart attack or heart failure can be avoided. Moreover, patients can get back to living, being active and ageing healthily, contributing positively to their communities.

“We believe the recommendations found in the NHS 10 Year Plan can really help to remedy the problem of under diagnosis and treatment,” says Wil. “By delivering optimal treatment of heart valve disease, you ensure that patients can get back to their lives and reduce the burden on the NHS.

To find out more about heart valve disease, read more on Heart Valve Voice

The post Do you know about heart valve disease? Knowing your symptoms can save your life appeared first on Health Awareness.