Heart Valve Voice Canada Launches on Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day
Heart Valve Voice Canada is proud to officially join its Heart Valve Voice counterparts around the world to provide a voice to Canadians affected by heart valve disease - and what better day to do so than today!
Heart valve disease affects thousands of Canadians. It is a disabling and deadly disease, but there are treatments available that can save lives and improve the quality of life of those with heart valve disease. Today, we add our voice to the conversation to increase recognition of the risks and symptoms of heart valve disease, improve diagnosis and treatment, and ultimately support saving lives.
We encourage all Canadians to know the signs of heart valve disease. The symptoms of heart valve disease include, but are not limited to:
Shortness of breath
Fainting
Coughing
Chest tightness and/or pain
Fatigue
Light-headedness or dizziness
Abnormal heart rhythm sensations (i.e. irregular heart beat)
These signs and symptoms are not always severe or visible and are often seen as a part of the natural aging process. They are also similar to symptoms of other forms of heart disease and lung-related problems. So, if you are over the age of 65 or think you may have any of these symptoms, please see your primary care physician. Heart valve disease is a treatable condition if diagnosed early.
From today forward, we will join other advocates, health care professionals, patients and families to help spread the word about valve disease across Canada. Our advocacy network includes patients and their support systems, a multi-disciplinary group of health care professionals, and other cardiac and patient advocacy and service organizations.
Heart Valve Voice Canada invites you to join our network and help support Canadians affected by heart valve disease. We invite you to share your heart valve disease story with our community, you never know who you will inspire! And, if you are a heart valve disease patient, caregiver or health care professional interested in volunteering your time with our organization, please as we will have a number of opportunities for you to get involved.