IT affects more than one million people over 65.

Heart Valve Disease is predominantly caused by the ageing process. Considering our hearts are constantly pumping it is easier to see why they can become diseased or damaged through wear and tear.

But young people can also be affected. According to the British Heart Foundation website, being born with an abnormal valve or valves (congenital heart disease), having rheumatic fever, cardiomyopathy or damage to the heart muscle from a heart attack or a previous infection with endocarditis can also contribute to the condition.

It occurs when one or more of the heart valves becomes damaged or diseased and can affect the flow of blood through the heart causing symptoms such as breathlessness, swelling of the ankles and feet and feeling unusually tired.

Yet, despite its prevalence, Bradford and Leeds fall 'well below' acceptable levels for the three most common treatments for heart valve disease - mitral valve replacement, aortic valve replacement at TAVI.

Now the UK charity, Heart Valve Voice, has launched its report 'Towards a Heart Healthy Future: a 2020 Vision for Heart Disease' at a parliamentary event attended by MPs across the country.

The report sets out recommendations to raise awareness and prioritise the development of NICE guidelines to ensure that people living with heart valve disease receive a timely diagnosis, along with equal opportunity to access effective and appropriate treatment for the condition, regardless of where they live.

According to the charity there is also significant variation in patient access to treatment across the UK.

The condition is a growing concern and with the number of people affected expected to rise to 3.3 million by 2056, more clearly needs to be done.

"What we see from the overall report is that Bradford is no better and possibly worse than Leeds," explains Dr Matthew Fay, a GP at The Willows in Queensbury.

He continues: "If we look at the overall country, Leeds and Bradford as a block really stands out."

Dr Fay cites one of the main reasons is lack of awareness about the disease. People who start feeling a little bit breathless may not immediately go to their GP, yet it could be a sign and should be checked out.

Dr Fay says doctors should also be listening to chests more to check lungs and listen for a heart murmur. If they suspect a heart murmur Dr Fay says patients should be referred for further tests to identify whether there is a problem.

He says another big issue is the lack of national guidelines on what to do with heart valve disease and he welcomes the charity's calls for those guidelines to be put in place.

"People just don't know about heart valve disease," says Dr Fay.

"We have to educate the population as well to make sure they understand the importance of what we are doing."

Dr Fay says although the NHS offer health checks, they don't necessarily listen to the chest. The only time it can become apparent is if patients begin to suffer symptoms - by which time the damage may already be done.

" Heart Valve Voice are doing some sterling work mainly because it is pushing for the NHS to try and make them make NICE come up with recommendations.

Dr Fay explains that having national guidelines in place would allow them to measure the issue better and would also reveal any weaknesses.

"It is really important that they keep pushing at making patients and doctors aware that if a patient was concerned they should be able to come to the doctor who should be putting a stethoscope on their chest to hear the murmur."

Referring the patient for an eco-cardiogram would then reveal if there was a problem.

"If your hip is worn out we replace it, or your knees, and if your heart valves are worn out why are we not replacing them because we have the technology?" questions Dr Fay.