Barbara is calling for greater awareness and improved treatment of heart valve disease.

Barbara recently joined the charity Heart Valve Voice at an event they held to raise awareness of heart valve disease.

A recent survey showed that 94% of over-60s do not know what heart valve disease (aortic stenosis) is and that 72% of over-60s rarely or ever have their hearts listened to by a doctor. This is despite that fact that more people die of severe aortic stenosis than most cancers and heart valve disease affects one million people over 65-years old in the UK.

The charity Heart Valve Voice is campaigning for stethoscope checks and echocardiogram tests for heart valve disease to become part of routine checks for the over-60s.

Barbara said:

“It was good to learn more about heart valve disease. The disease affects a high proportion of the UK population. It is worrying that there are such low levels of awareness and concern about this disease.

“To treat heart valve disease it is crucial that patients get referred after a stethoscope check and get access to appropriate treatment at the right time. 

“I welcome the work of Heart Valve Voice in raising awareness and seeking to improve the diagnosis and treatment of heart valve disease. I will be supporting their work locally to ensure that people in Worsley and Eccles South receive the treatment and support they need.”