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Multicenter Study
. 2020 Dec;43(12):1539-1546.
doi: 10.1002/clc.23478. Epub 2020 Oct 28.

European heart health survey 2019

Luise Gaede  1 , Marta Sitges  2   3   4   5 , Johnson Neil  6 , Eleonara Selvi  7 , William Woan  8 , Richard Derks  9 , Helge Möllmann  10
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

European heart health survey 2019

Luise Gaede et al. Clin Cardiol. 2020 Dec.

Erratum in

  • Erratum.
    [No authors listed] [No authors listed] Clin Cardiol. 2021 May;44(5):731. doi: 10.1002/clc.23587. Epub 2021 Mar 13. Clin Cardiol. 2021. PMID: 33987912 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

Abstract

Background: Rising life expectancy in the western population is increasing the prevalence of heart valve diseases (HVD).

Hypothesis: The level of awareness and initial screening for HVD should be sufficient. The potential impact of HVD on the daily activities of the elderly population in Europe might affect our society.

Methods and results: A survey was conducted, including a total of 12 832 people aged ≥ 60 years in 11 European countries. Of all the people surveyed, 5.6% could correctly describe aortic valve stenosis. Most participants (75.0%) claimed they regularly do activities like sports or social activities, 29.2% provide care for a family member, friend or acquaintance. The majority (69.2%) would be prevented from doing these activities by symptoms such as chest pain, fatigue or shortness of breath. Having chest pain (76.5%) and shortness of breath (57.8%) were reasons for most people to arrange an appointment with their GP, whereas only 26.2% would visit a GP for fatigue. 67.6% of respondents claimed to be checked with a stethoscope by their GP occasionally, never, or only when they ask. The preferred treatment option for HVD is a keyhole procedure (45.8%), whereas open heart surgery would only be preferred by 7.0%.

Conclusion: Knowledge about HVD is still low. Neither appointments with a GP driven by symptoms nor regular use of a stethoscope are a reliable guarantee for early diagnosis. With the over 60s in Europe playing an active role in social life, awareness campaigns and regular heart health checks may guarantee early diagnosis and treatment of HVD.

Keywords: aortic stenosis; awareness; heart valve disease; knowledge; survey.

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Conflict of interest statement

L. Gaede is consultant and receive speaker's honoraria from Abbott Vascular and Edwards Lifesciences. H. Möllmann has received speaker's honoraria from Edwards Lifesciences, and proctor and speaker's honoraria from Abbott Vascular and Boston Scientific. M Sitges has received speaker and consultant honoraria from Abbott Vascular, Medtronic and Edwards Lifesciences.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Q1. Do you know what “aortic stenosis” is?
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Q2: Which one of these diseases are you most concerned by? (by age)
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Q3: Which of the following activities do you regularly do (on a weekly or monthly basis)? (by age)
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Q7: When you visit a GP, how often do they check your heart with a stethoscope (by country)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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