Monash University
This week (June 19-25) is Heart Failure Awareness Week, which educates about the risk and prevalence of heart failure. hearts4heart says more than 500,000 Australians experience heart failure, which will rise with the prevalence of heart attacks, longer life expectancy, and shifting health and lifestyle trends.
What is heart failure?
Heart failure doesn’t mean that your heart has stopped, but it is ‘failing’ to keep up with your body’s demands. The heart is unable to pump enough blood through the body to meet its nutritional needs, either because it is unable to fill with enough blood, or its pumping action isn’t strong enough, or both. Symptoms can include any of the following:
- Shortness of breath during minimal exercise or exertion
- Needing to use extra pillows when lying down to breathe easier
- Irregular heartbeat or palpitations
- Swelling of legs, feet or stomach
- Coughing/wheezing
- Weight gain over a short period of time (e.g., more than 2kg over 2 days)
- Extreme tiredness, low energy or no energy
- Loss of appetite
Source: hearts4heart
/Public Release.
