Global statistics indicate a rise in mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Individuals with heart diseases are also at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19. It is therefore imperative to communicate the importance of heart health to avoid the associated complications. Burden of CVD The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) have issued revised guidelines to manage CVD: Detailed medical history and a thorough examination are essential for diagnosing and treating valvular heart disease (VHD).
A primary diagnostic approach to VHD is to obtain an echocardiogram to determine the severity and prognosis. Further non-invasive investigations such as cardiac CT, cardiac MR, and fluoroscopy offer additional valuable information for some patients. Stress testing must be conducted on asymptomatic patients. An…
