Heart Failure Awareness Week

Last week (June 1925) was Heart Failure Awareness Week, but every day we should be aware of the following: 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 fll 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 Courtesy of https://www.mayoclinic.org

Failure Awareness Week [June 19-25] to encourage Australians to prioritise their heart health and seek support when needed.

“Heart disease is all around us, but we don’t think it will actually happen to us. If you are always feeling tired, your body is trying to tell you something. Speak to your GP about your symptoms,” Ms Tenne said.

In May 2023, the Heart Health Check program, subsidised by Medicare, was extended for another two years, allowing people aged 45 and over and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 30 and over to assess their risk of heart disease during a 20-minute consultation with a medical practitioner.

“If you have family members with a heart condition, get your heart checked, and get your kids’ hearts checked,” urged Ms Tenne.

“You’ve only got one heart – don’t fail it!”