Healthcare Disparities - Our Screening Impact

Community members will receive an introduction to the screening process and general information regarding heart valve disease . The introduction will be followed by lectures on four different types of heart disease, including heart failure, as the community members are being screened by health professionals using the Eko DUO ECG + Digital Stethoscope. We aim to educate our community in an effort to reduce healthcare disparities related to un-diagnosed heart valve disease.

Aortic Stenosis (AS) is the narrowing of the aortic valve in the heart which prevents regular blood flow and eventually leads to heart failure . Treatment options include TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) which is a minimally invasive procedure for heart valve disease where a new valve is put within the old valve. The new valve takes over the job of the original valve.

Atrial Fibrillation (AF or AFib) is an irregular heartbeat that can lead to and increase your risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. Treatment options include catheter ablation and the Watchman device which are both minimally invasive procedures.

Mitral Regurgitation is when your heart's mitral valve allows blood to flow backward into your heart. It can eventually lead to heart failure if left untreated.  If this is significant, blood cannot flow to the rest of your body properly, causing symptoms that include difficulty doing activities or feeling out of breath. Treatment options include mitral valve repair or replacement and transcatheter MitraClip. THis is a very common form of heart valve disease

Congestive Heart Failure occurs when your heart does not pump blood as well as it should. This can cause symptoms including shortness of breath or fatigue. Lifestyle changes including diet changes and regular exercise can improve symptoms and life expectancy. 

Community members will undergo a 20-minute screening. At the end of your screening, you will be provided with recommendations and handouts about heart valve disease and heart failure .