Heart Valve Voice Team to Cycle from London to Paris
Heart Valve Voice is the UK’s dedicated heart valve disease charity.
They work with patients and clinicians to help increase the awareness of heart valve disease in the UK and improve diagnosis and treatment. While there have been many advancements in the treatment of this disease the unfortunate fact is that far too many people are not being diagnosed and treated early enough. It is anticipated that the number of people over the age of 65 in the UK with the condition will increase from 1.5 million in 2015 to 3.3 million by 2056, representing a 122% increase according to data obtained as part of the OxVALVE Study.
Awareness of this disease is very low in the UK, despite its prevalence, with an average of 94% of people over the age of 60 being unaware of what aortic stenosis (the most common heart valve disease) is. Their aim is to ensure that more of the population is aware of the importance of having your heart checked for heart valve disease, which can often be detected through a simple stethoscope check. With increased awareness they hope to see many more heart valve disease patients get the treatment they need to go on to live full and happy lives.
The mission for this cycle ride is to raise awareness of heart valve disease and they will be dedicating the ride to all of those with the disease who were not helped in time. A team of cyclists from the UK charity Heart Valve Voice will be leaving Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London on 15 May and will continue their cycle tour to the main stage of the EuroPCR conference in Paris on 17 May. The team will be made up of Heart Valve Voice CEO Wil Woan, Heart Valve Voice Patient Ambassador Pat Khan and eight cardiac specialists.
While all of our cyclists are looking forward to the journey, for one team member in particular, this will be a momentous adventure. Our patient ambassador Pat Khan, who received a mitral valve repair at the age of 62 will be participating in the ride and representing valve patients, “I’m really honoured to be representing my fellow heart valve disease patients on this cycle tour,” says Pat. “If it weren’t for my heart valve surgery and the treatment I received, I wouldn’t be here at all, let alone be participating in a cycle ride to France!”
“We’re coming together for this cycle ride to not only raise awareness of heart valve disease but to also show that there is a need to design a healthcare system that is equipped to better diagnose and treat more people, more effectively.” said Phil McCarthy, Senior HVV Ambassador, King’s College Hospital, London. “Early diagnosis of heart valve disease can actually help to save costs and lessen the burden on the NHS in the longer term by keeping patients out of hospital and living healthy, independent lives.”
To find out more about the cycle ride and to see who will be on the Heart Valve Voice cycle team see their website or social media sites (@HeartValveVoice).
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