Croi CEO, Neil Johnson has advised people to find out more about heart valve disease by tuning into a webinar to be held in two week’s time.
The webinar, “Listen to Your Heart”, is taking place on Thursday September 16 at 7pm, as part of Heart Valve Disease Awareness Week.
“As more and more of us live longer, heart valve disease is increasingly an issue that we may need to face. Indeed, it has been described as the next cardiac epidemic,” he said.
The webinar will be presented by consultant cardiologist, Dr Samer Arnous, and will focus on the signs and symptoms of heart valve disease and how it is detected and treated. The patient perspective will also feature and members of the public will have the opportunity to put their questions to Dr Arnous.
Heart valve disease – where valves in the heart are damaged or stiffened, causing reduced or blocked blood flow – is common, serious, but treatable.
Symptoms include breathlessness and becoming dizzy. If readers over the age of 65 years are finding that small everyday tasks are feeling more like an ordeal, it might be a good idea to ask their GP for a stethoscope check – at least once a year.
“However, symptoms are not always present and, so, as a matter of good heart health management, I would encourage all those over 65 years to try and have an annual stethoscope check,” added Mr Johnson.
“We know that one in eight people over the age of 75 suffers from moderate to severe heart valve disease. Sadly, up to half of symptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis – where the aortic valve is not working properly – die within two years of developing symptoms, if not treated.
“So, it is clear that early detection and timely treatment is vital for a longer, and better quality of, life. Remember, always, listen to your heart. If readers are interested in finding out more about heart valve disease, we invite them to join our upcoming webinar – they can register at www.croi.ie/valvewebinar,” he concluded.
