Heart Failure Awareness Week 2022

​Heart failure is a serious condition, but it does not mean that the heart has stopped beating.

​Heart failure happens when the heart cannot pump enough blood and oxygen to support other organs in your body.

​What are the symptoms of heart failure?

• ​Shortness of breath during daily activities
• Having trouble breathing when lying down
• Weight gain with swelling in the feet, legs, ankles, or stomach
• Generally feeling tired or weak

​What are the risk factors for heart failure?

​Certain medical conditions can increase your risk for heart failure, including:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD) (the most common type of heart disease) and heart attacks
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Other Conditions Related to Heart Disease
• Valvular Heart Disease

Unhealthy behaviors can also increase your risk for heart failure, especially for people who have one of the conditions listed above. Unhealthy behaviors include:

• Smoking tobacco
• Eating foods high in fat, cholesterol, and sodium
• Not getting enough physical activity
• Excessive alcohol intake

​How is heart failure treated?

​Early diagnosis and treatment can improve quality and length of life for people who have heart failure. Treatment usually involves the following:

• Taking medicines
• Reducing sodium in the diet
• Drinking less liquids
• Devices that remove excess salt and water from the blood
• Heart transplant and other surgeries
• Getting daily physical activity

Resources: Heart Failure | cdc.gov