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An oh-so-easy challenge built for Heart Month: Listen to Your Heart

February is about more than flowers + chocolates Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥“ a routine check up could save your life
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Christian Nielsan was diagnosed with a faulty aortic heart valve at 38 during a routine check up.

February is Heart Month and we arenÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t talking about ValentineÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s Day! While Feb. 14 often steals the spotlight, Feb. 22 is also an important heart-related day: Awareness Day.

And while flowers and chocolates are nice, Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day and Listen to Your Heart challenge could quite literally save your life.

WhatÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s the challenge? Simply have your heart listened to by a healthcare provider, and pass it on:

  • First, schedule an appointment to get your heart listened to (and keep it!).
  • Second, get a loved one to schedule an appointment to get their heart listened to.

and the remind us that heart disease, while more common in those over 50, can strike at any age and Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥˜listeningÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™ to your heart could very well save your life.

Signs and symptoms of heart valve disease can include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Fainting
  • Coughing
  • Chest tightness and/or pain
  • Fatigue
  • Light-headedness or dizziness
  • Abnormal heart rhythm sensations (i.e. irregular heart beat)

These symptoms are not always severe and in some cases individuals may have no notable symptoms at all Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥“ as was the case for Christian who at only 38, got an unexpected diagnosis while attending a routine medical exam.

ChristianÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s story:

In early 2021, Christian Nielsen was preparing to immigrate to Vancouver from the UK with his wife, Michelle and their two young children. While attending a routine pre-visa application check up, NielsenÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s doctor detected a heart murmur.

Nielsen had always lived an active and healthy lifestyle and found the diagnosis hard to believe. His doctor referred him to a cardiologist and tests indicated a faulty aortic heart valve was causing the murmur, which despite no obvious symptoms, was leaking severely and would require surgery.

Supported by his otherwise good health and active lifestyle, Nielsen received surgery in the UK a month later. He made a full recovery over 6 weeks, and by October of 2021, Nielsen, his wife and children made the move to Vancouver as they had originally planned prior to his unexpected diagnosis. Over time, Nielsen has been able to continue his love of cycling Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥“ often biking up to 60 kilometres a week Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥“ without any issues thanks to his new mechanical heart valve and a lucky early diagnosis.

Christian Nielsen with wife Michelle and their children Ethan and Vera.
Christian Nielsen with wife Michelle and their children Ethan and Vera.

Stories like NielsenÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s are a great reminder to never take life for granted and to join the #ListentoYourHeart Challenge this Heart Health Awareness month!

Help raise awareness by sharing ChristianÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s story, getting your own heart checked and encouraging your loved ones to do the same, even if they have no pre-existing symptoms. Find more information at and follow on and .



About the Author: Black Press Media Staff

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