AHA/ASA Launch Heart Valve Disease Website

April 29, 2013—The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) announced the launch of their new Heart Valve Disease website, www.heart.org/heartvalves, which was created to promote better understanding and management of unhealthy heart valves. The website was developed with funding from a $1.2 million grant from the Edwards Lifesciences Fund (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) to assist in building a comprehensive site over a 4-year period.

According to the AHA/ASA announcement, the website offers consumers a new resource with high-quality information and engaging interactive materials that could help prolong lives. They can access content and videos on heart valve problems and causes, signs and symptoms, getting an accurate diagnosis, treatment options, and goals to help them achieve ideal heart health with their current valvular conditions. Additionally, the site's features include patient stories, animated graphics, and expert testimonials and explanations of basic valve issues.

“There is an extensive need for education on the many different types of valvular diseases, including aortic valve disease, mitral valve prolapse, pulmonary valve disease, and even tricuspid valve disease,” commented Robert Bonow, MD, in the AHA/ASA announcement. “Providing consumers with quality resources at the click of a mouse will arm them with information and tools that they, and their caregivers, need to stay one step ahead of the game.”