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Lorena Smalley

VALVE CARE MATTERS

At WSAC, we believe in supporting the health and well-being of our community members, including those living with heart conditions. 

We’re excited to share valuable resources and information from the Heart Valve Voice Canada, with whom we’ve partnered on important initiatives such as our Heart Valve Disease Presentation and Free Stethoscope Check in September 2024 and the Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day in February 2025!

LATEST NEWS FROM HEART VALVE VOICE CANADA

 

Digital Stethoscopes could save lives

Early detection of valve disease can save lives, and a heart murmur is the most common warning sign. Now, digital stethoscopes promise to make detection easier, picking up even the faintest murmurs. Dr. Philippe Pibarot explains the potential in this short video.

Webinar: What could Lp(a) mean for you?

An estimated one in five people has elevated levels of Lp(a), a protein in your blood that can raise your risk of aortic stenosis and other heart conditions. This informative webinar from Global Heart Hub brings together patient, science and policy perspectives to shed light on this little-known risk factor.

 

Watch the webinar to find out what this means for you.

Eleanor’s story: Getting her breath back

 

Walking upstairs, Eleanor Nolt had to stop two or three times to catch her breath. She thought she was out of shape and needed to work out more. Then she learned the real reason: Her aortic stenosis had worsened and she needed valve replacement surgery.

Learn how he overcame these challenges to live a full life, changing her lifestyle and getting her breathe back.

Strategies for a healthier New Year

 

The new year is a time to take stock of our health habits and think about making positive changes. But what’s the best way to make a resolution stick? Whether you’re planning to exercise more or improve your sleep, find useful strategies from this article on McMaster University’s Optimal Aging Portal.

Education

What Is Heart Valve Disease?
What are the types of heart valve disease?
Who is at risk?
Symptoms, Detection, Diagnosing & Treatment

Patient Journey

Whether you’ve just discovered a heart murmur or are awaiting treatment for a valve problem, it can be reassuring to know what comes next. While everyone’s experience with heart valve disease will be different, this page outlines the optimal care journey.

Resources for Patients

Find the latest resources for Canadians living with heart valve disease, from easy-to-understand guides to tools.

About Heart Valve Voice Canada

Bringing awareness to heart valve diseases and the symptoms to improve early detection is a priority for Heart Valve Voice Canada, Canada’s only nonprofit working for better outcomes for 1 million+ Canadian patients with heart valve disease. Numerous organizations, including the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, provide arm’s length support to further our mission. Heart Valve Voice Canada is patient-centred with a board composed of people with lived experience and leading clinicians from across the country.