Leading heart charity, Hearts4heart has launched Australia’s first Heart Valve Disease Patient Journey Report.
Coinciding with the organisation’s annual Heart Valve Disease Awareness Week (17 to 23 February), the report highlights the scale of the challenges with heart valve disease (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.2,3
Heart valve disease occurs when one or more heart valves fail to open or close properly, disrupting blood flow and placing strain on the heart. Despite symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue and chest discomfort, many Australians dismiss these as signs of aging, which can delay critical diagnosis.4
Systemic barriers and gaps along the patient care pathway can further undermine patient outcomes.3
“Heart valve disease is a severely underestimated health issue in Australia that can easily be prevented and managed with early detection and intervention,” says Tanya Hall, CEO and Founder of Hearts4heart, and recently appointed to the World Heart Federation Board. “Unfortunately, in too many cases the illness is undetected, undiagnosed, untreated, or treated too late.
“The growing prevalence of heart valve disease in our ageing population makes addressing the existing gaps in heart valve disease care an urgent priority,” said Ms Hall. “This report highlights the critical need for greater awareness so that Australians take action and learn to take control of their treatment pathway.”
In addition to highlighting the patient journey, the report outlines a roadmap to transform heart valve disease management in Australia, including strengthening diagnostic pathways, promoting earlier specialist referral, expanding public awareness and education, ensuring sustainable funding for Heart Health Checks and harnessing digital technologies for integrated patient monitoring and management.
“Early detection, diagnosis and management of heart valve disease is critical for best patient outcomes,” says Professor Jayme Bennetts, Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Victorian Heart Hospital and School of Medicine at Monash University. “Better outcomes are achieved when patients, health care professionals and caregivers work together, ensuring everyone is actively involved in decision-making throughout the care journey.
“By adopting these recommendations, we can significantly improve survival rates and quality of life for all Australians affected by heart valve disease,” said Professor Bennetts.
Left untreated, HVD can lead to heart failure, stroke, or even death – but simple tools like a stethoscope check can prevent such outcomes.4 During Heart Valve Disease Awareness Week, free screening events held in Victoria and WA aim to detect warning signs early, giving Australians an accessible way to safeguard their heart health.
“We’re urging everyone to get involved,” said Ms Hall. “Attend a screening, learn about the symptoms and advocate for better health policies. Together, we can change the course of heart valve disease care.”
For more information about Heart Valve Disease Awareness Week, the Patient Journey Report, or the free screening events, visit hearts4heart.org.au.
References
- Global Heart Hub. (2021). Heart Valve Disease: working together to create a better patient journey.
- Baker Institute. (2021). Our hidden ageing: time to listen to the heart.
- Hearts4heart. (2025). Patient Journey Report: Working together to create a better patient journey in Australia.
- Hearts4heart. Heart Valve Disease. Available at: hearts4heart.org.au/heart-valve-disease.
