An op-ed written by former U.S. Congressman Philip Gingrey, M.D., that appears on The Hill’s website centered on National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day. Gingrey notes that while the disease affects millions of Americans, it also has a low level of national awareness. That’s why National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day is so important.
He writes, “A 97 percent survival rate following heart valve repair or replacement surgery is amazing, but far too many people still die because their heart valve disease went unrecognized and untreated. The greatest medical innovations cannot ‘treat’ a lack of public awareness. And, when it comes to heart valve disease, what you don’t know can hurt you…with National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day coming up on Feb. 22, it’s a good time to learn about this disease and encourage loved ones to seek out a health care professional if they have risk factors or symptoms.”