Heart failure is present when the heart becomes so damaged that it can no longer keep up with the body’s needs. Many forms of heart disease can eventually lead to heart failure if not controlled. Thus, heart failure is a common cardiac condition, and is becoming an increasingly common cause of cardiac death. Heart failure currently affects over 5 million Americans, and it has been estimated that another 10 – 15 million are at risk of developing heart failure within several years. The statistics are similar in most other developed countries.
People who have heart failure are often limited both by their symptoms (fatigue, shortness of breath and swelling are the most frequent), and by their greatly increased risk of early death.
Fortunately, the treatment of heart failure has advanced tremendously over the past five years, and more advances are under active development.
Unfortunately, statistics show that the doctors who most often treat heart failure – primary care physicians – are all too often unaware of the recent advances in the therapy of this condition. And as a result, thousands of patients with heart failure are suffering more than they need to, and are dying earlier than they should.
The purpose of Heart Failure Awareness Week is to increase the public’s consciousness of this common and debilitating condition.
As DrRich has always said, when you have a medical condition, being well informed is the best health insurance you can have. And when it comes to heart failure, this statement is especially true.
There are readily available treatments for heart failure that can make a major difference in your symptoms and your survival, and there’s a reasonable chance doctor may be blissfully ignorant of these advances. Heart failure is one medical condition in which you need to take the bull by the horns. Educate yourself, educate your doctor if necessary, and insist on the best treatment available.
