National Heart Failure Awareness Week: February 12-18, 2012

The Heart Failure Society of America encourages patients, families, caregivers and individuals at risk to learn about heart failure prevention and management

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Heart Failure Society of America

Feb 07, 2012, 10:34 ET

NEW YORK, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- National Heart Failure Awareness Week is set for February 12-18, 2012. This week is a time for health care providers to remind patients with heart failure, patients' families, and all others at risk about the signs and symptoms of heart failure. Heart failure affects nearly five million individuals in the United States and is responsible for $40-50 billion of health care costs. The Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) suggests that to combat this common and dangerous condition, it's important that all are aware of early prevention tactics, important lifestyle risks and treatment management options.

"Indications of heart failure are often misdiagnosed and misunderstood because they're remarkably similar to the signs of normal aging," said Barry M. Massie, M.D., HFSA President and Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Cardiology Division at the San Francisco VAMC. "Patients with chronic hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and obesity are at higher risk of developing heart failure, but aggressive treatment of these conditions can be effective in preventing the occurrence of heart failure. HFSA is determined to educate people about ways to recognize the common signs and symptoms of heart failure. National Heart Failure Awareness Week is an opportunity to showcase facts, resources and opportunities that can help the public better understand this medical condition. Because of National Heart Failure Awareness Week, physicians, nurses, patients and their families, and at risk individuals will have the chance to become more informed. Heart failure can be prevented and survival rates can increase with proper care, diagnosis, and effective treatment."

HSFA has developed a Heart Failure Education website, www.abouthf.org, to share heart failure information, education modules and prevention techniques. The site includes guidelines and education modules about following a low sodium diet, exercise do's and don'ts, managing medications, heart rhythm problems, and other factors commonly associated with heart failure. The modules are written in easy-to-read language and can be downloaded free of charge.

While not intended to replace regular medical care, these guidelines and modules can help patients and at-risk individuals, family and friends communicate better with their health care provider.

About Heart Failure

Heart failure is a progressive condition in which the heart muscle becomes weakened after it is injured, most commonly from heart attack or high blood pressure, and gradually loses its ability to pump enough blood to supply the body's needs. Many people are not aware they have heart failure because the symptoms are often mistaken for signs of getting older. Heart failure affects from 4.6 to 4.8 million individuals in the United States. Demographic and clinical evidence strongly suggests that the prevalence of heart failure will increase throughout the next decade. Ten to 15 years ago heart failure was considered a "death sentence;" however, recent advances in treatment have shown that early diagnosis and proper care in early stages of the condition are key to slowing, stopping or in some cases reversing progression, improving quality of life, and extending life expectancy. For more information on heart failure, please visit www.abouthf.org.

About the Heart Failure Society of America

The Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) is a nonprofit educational organization, founded in 1994 as the first organized association of heart failure experts. The HFSA provides a forum for all those interested in heart function, heart failure research and patient care. The Society also serves as a resource for governmental agencies (FDA, NIH, NHLBI, CMS). The HFSA Annual Scientific Meeting is designed to highlight recent advances in the development of strategies to address the complex epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic issues of heart failure. Additional information on HFSA can be found at www.hfsa.org.

SOURCE Heart Failure Society of America