Heart failure designates a serious pathology which kills more than 70,000 people each year in France. Although this pathology is common, its warning signs are still little known to the general public. However, late management exposes the patient to serious complications and an increased risk of hospitalization and death. Focus on the warning signs to identify heart failure.
What is heart failure?
Heart failure refers to a chronic disease that corresponds to the inability of the heart to provide sufficient blood flow to meet the body’s needs for oxygen and essential nutrients. Affecting 1.5 million French people per year, its prevalence increases sharply with age and the associated mortality is significant. (70,000 deaths per year). This shows how much this pathology represents a major public health issue.
To know ! It is estimated that 400,000 to 700,000 people are unaware of suffering from heart failure.
But although this pathology is frequent and serious, its warning signs are currently little known to the general public. However, it should be noted that late diagnosis and treatment expose the patient to serious complications, to an increased risk of hospitalization and, in the most serious cases, to a risk of death.
Early warning signs and prompt treatment can slow heart failure
In this context, the Health Insurance has set up since March 13 a major awareness campaign for seniors. The objective is to help them better understand heart failure, to encourage them to consult in case of doubt but above all to train them to spot the warning signs of the disease.
What exactly are they? These are several easily recognizable symptoms:
- Unusual shortness of breath: which is manifested by difficulty in catching your breath after a simple effort or even at rest.
- Great fatigue: especially in daily activities (walking, climbing stairs, carrying loads).
- Swollen feet and ankles: with the appearance of edema on the feet and ankles.
- Rapid weight gain: 2 to 3 kilos more on the scale in just a few days and for no particular reason.
Although these signs may be due to another disease or simply to aging, they still require monitoring. One or more of these symptoms in a person over the age of 60 or suffering from a chronic disease, may indeed reveal an underlying heart failure. To curb the disease and prevent it from getting worse, it will therefore be necessary consult a general practitioner as soon as possible so that he confirms the diagnosis and sets up appropriate care as soon as possible.
Déborah L., Doctor of Pharmacy
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