Take time out of your busy day and make a Donation to an amazing cause. Shed some light on Heart Awareness
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Take time out of your busy day and make a Donation to an amazing cause. Shed some light on Heart Awareness
Heart Valve Disease Awareness Week is a national initiative driven by Hearts4heart.
More than half a million Australians have heart valve disease (HVD) and over 250,000 are unaware they are living with the condition.1 This number is projected to grow to 336,000 in 2031 and to 435,000 in 2051.1
Heart valve disease is a serious and common condition where one or more of the valves in the heart do not open or close properly, which can lead to problems with blood flow.
Each day, the heart pumps about 7,500 litres of blood via a blood vessel system stretching more than 100,000km.1
Heart Valve Disease Awareness Week (HVDAW) highlights the importance of early detection to reduce the risk of stroke and improve patient outcomes.
In 2025, Hearts4heart is launching Australia’s very first Heart Valve Disease Patient Journey Report. The report highlights the scale of the challenges with HVD care, including: low public awareness; delayed diagnosis; and unequal access to care.
With projections showing the number of Australians affected by heart valve disease will rise dramatically in the coming decades, the Patient Journey Report calls for policy makers to collaborate more effectively with healthcare professionals, researchers and patient advocacy groups to ensure appropriate and timely diagnosis and treatment of HVD. 1,2
500,000+ Australians have HVD1
250,000+ Australians are unaware they are living with HVD1
There are three potential problems that can be experienced with heart valves – narrowing, leaking or less commonly, absence.
If left untreated, heart valve disease can damage the heart’s valves, leading to heart failure, stroke and arrhythmia (an irregular heartbeat).
People of all ages can develop heart valve disease, but the following factors increase risk:
HVD symptoms can often be dismissed and attributed to old age. Symptoms can include:
Some people with HVD do not show symptoms or have no symptoms for many years, even if their disease is severe, which can make diagnosis difficult.
If left untreated, HVD can lead to heart failure, stroke, or even death – but simple tools like a stethoscope check can prevent such outcomes.3
If you’re over 65, or experiencing any of the above, don’t put your heart health on hold. Speak to your GP and get your heart checked.
"We’re urging everyone to get involved in Heart Valve Disease Awareness Week. Attend a screening, learn about the symptoms and advocate for better health policies. Together, we can change the course of heart valve disease care.”
Click here to download more information about heart valve disease symptoms and treatment options.
We always appreciate people helping us spread the word. If you would like to get involved in Heart Valve Disease Awareness Week, please email [email protected] for more information and shareable social media assets.
Hearts4heart’s Heart Valve Disease Awareness Week is proudly supported by:
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