It’s Official: Ontario is First to Proclaim Heart Valve Disease Awareness Act

Heart Valve Voice Canada is celebrating the passing of Bill 66, the Heart Valve Disease Awareness Act, a Private Members’ Bill sponsored by MPP Rudy Cuzzetto, in the Ontario Legislature. The act officially proclaims February 22 as Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day and the third week of September as Heart Valve Disease Awareness Week making Ontario the first province to recognize the importance of improving awareness and detection of valve disease.

The act will help more people know about heart valve disease (HVD) symptoms, risks and its detection by educating Canadians on the importance of regular stethoscope checks, especially for those aged 60+. This landmark legislation is a critical step on our mission to improve awareness, early detection and outcomes for 1 million+ Canadians affected by valve disease.

The legislation shines a crucial spotlight on an often-overlooked, common, serious but treatable disease. Despite affecting one in eight seniors over 75, and presenting a growing threat as our population ages, HVD remains largely invisible among cardiovascular conditions. In too many cases, due to low awareness, detection challenges, and delays in diagnosis and access to care, valve disease is undetected, untreated or treated too late. This results in significant compromises to people’s quality of life, avoidable deaths and high health costs.

“Heart valve disease can substantially impact a patient’s quality of life, but until now has maintained a low profile in the world of cardiovascular disease,” says Ellen Ross, Managing Director of Heart Valve Voice Canada. “We hope that more attention at the political and clinical levels will ensure we don’t miss the opportunity to save lives and reduce suffering for Canadians living with heart valve disease.”

We are grateful to MPP Rudy Cuzzetto for his leadership in advancing this bill. Cuzzetto knows firsthand the life-changing impact of early detection and proper care, having undergone a successful valve replacement, as shared in his patient story. His advocacy helps transform a personal health challenge into a province-wide mission to help others. “Listen to your heart. It saved my life, it could save yours,” said Cuzzetto, when the act was proclaimed into law in December 2024.

Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day and Week aim to get more people to know about heart valve disease and its symptoms. Public awareness of HVD symptoms is generally low, and this leads to under detection. Patients may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, dizziness—which are frequently dismissed as normal signs of aging—or no symptoms at all. This silent progression means countless Canadians are at risk of serious health complications, including stroke, heart failure, and premature death.

This legislative milestone represents a significant victory in our ongoing efforts to put patient needs at the forefront of cardiovascular health. We extend our deepest gratitude to MPP Rudy Cuzzetto for his leadership and personal commitment to this cause. Together, we can continue to increase awareness, improve early detection, and ultimately save lives.