Campaign highlights signs of heart valve disease

HUNDREDS of thousands of Australians may be living with undiagnosed heart valve disease, and cardiology experts warn the condition is on track to become the nation’s next major heart health challenge.

An estimated 600,000 Australian were living with diagnosed heart value disease in 2021, with a further 254,000 believed to be unaware they had the condition.

And cases of heart valve disease are expected to rise sharply.

Global modelling suggests case numbers could double by 2040 and triple by 2060. If reflected locally, that would equate to up to 1.7 million Australians living with the condition within 15 years.

Despite these figures, awareness of the conditions remains low, and symptoms are frequently dismissed as part of getting older.

Not-for-profit organisation Hearts4heart has this month launched a national campaign to address what it describes as a dangerous gap in public understanding.

Heart valve disease occurs when one or more of the heart’s valves do not open or close properly, restricting blood flow. In many cases the condition progresses gradually, meaning early signs can be subtle.

The SLOW symptoms campaign promotes four key warning signs: shortness of breath, light-headedness on exertion, feeling older than your years and weariness or unusual fatigue.

Hearts4heart chief executive Tanya Hall said delayed diagnosis was costing lives.

“Too many Australians are living with heart valve disease without knowing it, and by the time they do, it can be too late,” she said.

“The SLOW campaign gives people the language to recognise symptoms, start a conversation with their GP and ask for a stethoscope check.

“If we don’t speed up Australia’s response, the human and health system costs will be enormous.”

Much like the FAST campaign for stroke, SLOW aims to embed these warning signs into everyday language.

Clinical cardiologist Professor David Playford said symptoms were often overlooked until the disease had advanced.

While heart valve disease can be effectively monitored and treated if detected early, severe untreated cases carry a high risk. More than half of patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis die within two years if the condition is left untreated.

“Heart valve disease is one of the most under-recognised and under-diagnosed heart conditions we see,” Professor Playford said.

“Heart valve disease gets worse before symptoms develop, and early symptoms such as breathlessness may be ignored or assumed to be due to age or lack of fitness.

“A simple stethoscope check followed by an echocardiogram is the best way to diagnose heart valve disease. Earlier detection saves lives.”

Hearts4heart is encouraging people to learn the SLOW symptoms and speak to their GP about a stethoscope check, particularly if they are over 65 or experiencing unexplained breathlessness or fatigue.