(BPT) - Heart valve disease affects more than 5 million people in the United States. Despite this, 3 out of 4 U.S. adults know little to nothing about it.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is raising awareness about heart valve disease by launching a series of toolkits focused on providing information, resources and personal stories.

'CDC wants to help everyone get to know their heart,' said Janet S. Wright, MD, FACC, director of CDC's Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention. 'We know early detection is only possible when patients and health care teams work together. Ongoing conversations about heart valve disease risk factors can help identify when referrals may be needed and ensure connection to additional care or treatment.'

Knowing your heart includes learning how it should function. The heart works by pumping blood throughout the body; with each heartbeat, your heart valves open and close to keep blood moving in the right direction. Heart valve disease occurs when your heart valves don't work like they should, which makes the heart strain and work harder.

Heart valve disease can be congenital - something you are born with - or it can develop over time due to aging, certain infections, radiation for cancer treatment, or other underlying health conditions. Signs of a congenital heart valve condition may be present during prenatal care or can be detected through newborn screening or later pediatric check-ups.

Early diagnosis of heart valve disease is critical. Research has shown that diagnosis and treatment among Black, Hispanic/Latino and Asian populations are lagging. Women are also more likely than men to be diagnosed later and to experience worse health outcomes from this condition.

Joy Spencer Smith learned about her family history of heart valve disease and paid close attention to a murmur that was detected in her 40s. Although diagnosis of a form of heart valve disease called aortic stenosis came in her 70s, she and her primary care physician had been closely monitoring the murmur. Joy credits being aware of her risks and her overall health for helping her recognize that the abnormal burning sensations in her chest were a warning sign.

'Once you're told you have any kind of heart condition, as the heart is the soul and the life of the body, you should learn about it,' Joy said. 'You should get involved. You should ask questions.'

Learning about your family medical history and individual risk - along with getting screened and recognizing potential symptoms - can help you take steps to protect your heart and the hearts of your loved ones.

You know your body best. Don't ignore anything that feels 'off.' Your health care team can listen to your concerns and, with a stethoscope, listen to your heart. Based on what that exam reveals, you may be referred for an echocardiogram, an ultrasound of the heart, or other testing.

Visit cdc.gov/KnowYourHeart for heart valve disease resources and information.