What is Heart Failure (HF)?
Today, nearly seven million American adults are living with heart failure (HF), and by 2030, that number is expected to increase to almost eight million. It is also estimated that one in five Americans 40 years of age and older will develop HF in their lifetime.
HF occurs when the heart is not pumping as well as it should. Unlike a heart attack, HF is a progressive condition that worsens over time and affects the heart's ability to pump enough blood and oxygen to support other organs in the body. Symptoms of HF include fatigue, shortness of breath, and swelling.
HF often develops as a complication of other heart conditions. Certain risk factors, such as coronary artery disease, previous heart attacks, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and chronic kidney disease, can increase a person's likelihood of developing heart failure. If you have been diagnosed with one of these conditions, it is essential that you carefully manage your health in partnership with a doctor to reduce your risk of HF.
Increasing Public Health Burden
The burden of disease is substantial for those living with HF. The condition leads to over one million hospitalizations per year and is the leading cause of rehospitalizations within one month. Furthermore, the five-year mortality rate of people with HF is about 50 percent.
Recent studies have linked socioeconomic factors and mental health status to negatively impact patients with heart failure. It is suspected these disparities play a role in HF mortality rates.
The prevalence and burden of HF underscore the urgency for open patient-doctor communications to create an action plan for HF management and proper care.
Partnering with Your Doctor
While there is no cure for HF, many people with HF lead full, enjoyable lives when the condition is managed with medication and a healthy lifestyle. With the advancement of science, treatment options for HF are now available to help reduce the risk of mortality due to cardiovascular disease and hospitalizations for heart failure.
It is important for patients and caregivers to know that honest conversations with a doctor are crucial to better managing HF, especially if you are at an increased risk of developing the condition. An early diagnosis gives doctors more time to find a treatment that can keep symptoms in check and prevent other health issues.
Resources for Patient
In addition to speaking with a doctor, patient advocacy organizations have developed resources and programs for patients to learn about HF. For more information, check out the Heart Failure Society of America’s Heart Failure Awareness 365 campaign, which offers a wide range of educational information via a podcast, blog posts, newsletters, and more to increase awareness and understanding of HF and related conditions, and Mended Hearts’ Welcome Home program, which helps people during a 12-week, post-hospitalization recovery period to track their condition, medications and treatment plan via weekly educational emails and a trained peer-supporter.