July 3 is Heart Failure Awareness Week

June 27 – July 3 is Heart Failure Awareness Week

You’ve only got one heart. Don’t fail it.

Did you know . . .

· Heart failure affects 500,000 Australians and claims around 61,000 lives every year – that’s approximately 1 person dying of heart failure every 3 hours, 8 deaths each day.

· It is the #1 cause of hospitalisations in people over age 65.

· Heart failure is common and on the rise in Australia. As more people are surviving heart attacks and other acute heart diseases, more people are going to develop heart failure.

· Despite the name, heart failure doesn’t mean the heart has stopped or failed, it means the heart is ‘failing’ to keep up with the body’s demands.

· With early diagnosis, treatment and lifestyle changes, a person with heart failure can reduce their risk of hospitalisation, feel better, and live a longer and healthier life.

In the lead up to Heart Failure Awareness Week (27 June – 3 July), peak body hearts4heart, Parliamentary Friends of Heart and Stroke, cardiologists and heart failure patients and carers across the country are urging Australians to be smart about their hearts and speak with their GP about heart failure if they’re over 65 or experiencing symptoms.

Arranging interviews

We can line up interviews with a hearts4heart spokesperson, medical expert, or local patient case study.