The CCS Celebrates Recent Passing of The Heart Valve Disease Awareness Act (Bill 66)

The CCS is proud to highlight the Legislative Assembly of Ontario’s recent passing of The Heart Valve Disease Awareness Act (Bill 66). Bill 66 designates February 22 of each year as Heart Valve Awareness Day, and the third week of September as Heart Valve Awareness Week. We welcome this bill as a crucial step in raising awareness about Heart Valve Disease (HVD), which affects 13% of patients over the age of 75 and is projected to affect 1.5 million Canadians by 2040.

Between 2007 and 2017, there was a 68% increase in hospitalizations related to heart valve disease, which has put significant strain on an already overburdened healthcare system. Heart Valve Disease is treatable if patients are diagnosed at less symptomatic stages of disease and promptly referred for intervention. Despite the prevalence of HVD, many patients dismiss their symptoms as normal signs of aging, which often delays treatment until later, less treatable stages of the disease. Education and awareness of HVD to improve detection gives power to change the trajectory of the disease. The CCS encourages other provinces and territories to follow suit with similar awareness acts, in order to pioneer a future which recognizes HVD early and intervenes before patients and healthcare systems suffer the consequences of late stage valvular disease.

Dr. Jessica Forcillo and Dr. Tara D’Ignazio

On behalf of the CCS Heart Valve Disease Working Group