Heart Failure Awareness Week: February 14-20, 2016

The Do Your Part, Know Your Heart campaign is a community-focused heart failure awareness initiative that encourages individuals to take an active role in maintaining their heart health. During this year’s HF Awareness Week, help us raise awareness, increase public knowledge and understanding, and encourage interest and enthusiasm.

What Is Heart Failure?

According to the NIH, Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.

Heart Failure’s Impact

In the U.S. approximately 5.7 million patients over the age of 20 have HF, with 870,000 new cases diagnosed each year.

About half of people who develop heart failure die within 5 years of diagnosis.

Managing your weight, getting enough physical activity, and eating foods that are low in fat, cholesterol and sodium are a few ways to prevent HF.

Stages of Heart Failure According to the NYHA

• Class 1 – Mild
• Class 2 – Mild
• Class 3 – Moderate
• Class 4 – Severe

Heart Failure Risk Factors

• Coronary heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Heart attack
• Diabetes
• Smoking tobacco

Diagnosing Heart Failure

Early diagnosis and treatment are very important. Doctors often order a number of tests when exploring a possible diagnosis of heart failure. The most important of these tests is an echocardiogram.

Managing Heart Failure 

For individuals who are diagnosed with HF, there are a number of medications that work together to improve symptoms and keep your heart from getting worse. Taking these medicines, in addition to healthy eating and getting regular exercise, can help improve your health.

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Sources: http://www.hfsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/HF-Infographic.pdf http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/docs/fs_heart_failure.pdf