Australia isn’t ready for the next cardiac epidemic, warns landmark heart valve disease report

• Heart valve disease (HVD) deemed the ‘next cardiac epidemic’¹ is a serious and common condition where one or more of the valves in the heart do not open or close properly, which can lead to problems with blood flow.
• Affecting over half a million Australians- and over 250,000 more unknowingly living with the disease.²
• Hearts4heart is supporting free screening events across Australia to help raise awareness of HVD and support early detection.
• The launch of Australia’s first Heart Valve Disease Patient Journey Report explores the challenges around diagnosis, treatment and management, and provides a roadmap to help improve patient outcomes for all Australians.

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Monday 17 February 2025: Leading heart charity, Hearts4heart has launched Australia’s very 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," said 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,” said Professor Jayme Bennetts, Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Victorian Heart Hospital and School of Medicine at Monash University. "Better outcomes are achieved when patients, healthcare 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," stated 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 VIC 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 www.hearts4heart.org.au.

-ENDS-

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

About Hearts4heart

Hearts4heart is a non-profit organisation that supports, educates and advocates for people with heart disease in Australia and New Zealand. Hearts4heart works to eliminate stroke and preventable deaths and improve the quality of life for patients and caregivers.

Bringing together patients and healthcare professionals to reduce the burden of heart disease, Hearts4heart provides targeted educational programs, resources and services to improve diagnosis, treatment and quality of life. To find out more visit www.hearts4heart.org.au

About the Patient Journey Report for Heart Valve Disease

The Patient Journey Report for Heart Valve Disease has been developed by Hearts4heart in partnership with Global Heart Hub and features contributions from leading heart valve disease experts across Australia and people living with HVD.

The report provides a roadmap to improving patient outcomes across the patient care pathway by addressing systemic challenges to care at national, state and local levels with the support of government and clinical health services

References

1. Global Heart Hub. (2021). Heart Valve Disease: working together to create a better patient journey.
2. Baker Institute. (2021). Our hidden ageing: time to listen to the heart.
3. Hearts4heart. (2025). Patient Journey Report: Working together to create a better patient journey in Australia.
4. Hearts4heart. Heart Valve Disease. Available at: https://hearts4heart.org.au/heart-valve-disease/#:~:text=This%20is%20caused%20when%20the,chamber%20may%20eventually%20become%20enlarged.

• Heart valve disease (HVD) deemed the ‘next cardiac epidemic’¹ is a serious and common condition where one or more of the valves in the heart do not open or close properly, which can lead to problems with blood flow.
• Affecting over half a million Australians- and over 250,000 more unknowingly living with the disease.²
• Hearts4heart is supporting free screening events across Australia to help raise awareness of HVD and support early detection.
• The launch of Australia’s first Heart Valve Disease Patient Journey Report explores the challenges around diagnosis, treatment and management, and provides a roadmap to help improve patient outcomes for all Australians.