Pay Attention to Heart Failure Symptoms

Pay Attention to Heart Failure Symptoms Turkish Cardiology Society (TKD) held an online press conference as part of "Heart Failure Awareness Day," celebrated in the second week of May, and made important statements about the disease. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Çelik, Head of the TKD Heart Failure Working Group and spokesperson at the conference, said: "Many heart failure patients do not take their symptoms seriously, and as a result their treatment is delayed. However, early diagnosis is crucial in heart failure." The Turkish Cardiology Society, which has implemented many important projects through its effective awareness activities to date, held a press conference as part of Heart Failure Awareness Day. The conference included detailed information about heart failure, the importance of early diagnosis and regular treatment, and significant data related to the disease.

Striking statistics on heart failure

Heart failure is defined as a serious and often fatal clinical condition in which the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the body's needs. The main symptoms resulting from heart failure are shortness of breath, swelling in the feet and fatigue. In addition, cough, loss of appetite, palpitations, frequent urination at night, and weakness are also among other symptoms of heart failure. Heart failure is a chronic disease that can be marked by periodic exacerbations requiring hospitalization. As a result, it can lead to reduced exercise capacity, deterioration in quality of life, hospitalizations and, most importantly, death. Heart failure imposes a major burden on patients, family members, healthcare workers and health economics due to lifelong treatment requirements, frequent hospitalizations, the need for multiple drug therapies, and complicated and expensive device treatments. Heart failure, which can develop for many reasons, can be preceded by diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Furthermore, approximately 1 in 2 people with a history of cardiovascular disease or previous heart attack can develop heart failure. Approximately 50-60 percent of people with heart failure disease have hypertension, and approximately 35-40 percent have diabetes. In diabetic patients, the risk of hospitalization due to heart failure is 1.5 times higher. Prof. Dr. Özlem Yıldırımtürk, Member of the Board of Directors of the TKD Heart Failure Working Group, shared important data on the disease: "Survival rates in heart failure disease can be worse compared to bowel, breast or prostate cancer. Heart failure disease in Turkey appears 10 years younger compared to Western societies. Heart failure is the most common reason for hospitalization in people over 65 years of age. Globally, 1 in 2 patients hospitalized with heart failure dies within the next 5 years. In the early stages of the disease, there may be changes in the heart related to insufficiency, but there may be no complaints; however, as heart failure progresses, symptoms and signs emerge and become more pronounced. Many heart failure patients view symptoms as signs of 'aging' and do not take them seriously, which is why their treatment is delayed. However, early diagnosis is crucial in heart failure. Undergoing regular heart check-ups after age 40 can be very valuable for early diagnosis and detection, as well as preventing premature deaths. Therefore, it is necessary to be aware of heart failure disease, have regular check-ups and receive the necessary treatment," she said.

Heart Failure Is Not a Matter of Despair

At the press conference on heart failure, emphasis was also placed on the fact that heart failure can be controlled with early and correct treatment. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Çelik, Head of the TKD Heart Failure Working Group, said: "Our country has many cardiologists specialized in heart failure. Through cardiology referral, we have many weapons we can use against the disease that have proven beneficial. In addition to many drug treatments that reduce the risk of death from this disease, slow the negative and unfavorable course of the disease, and sometimes change it for the better, there are pacemakers that deliver a shock to correct rhythm disturbances that cause sudden death in heart failure or allow the heart to work in a synchronized manner. In people with advanced and severe heart failure disease, heart support devices, artificial hearts and heart transplantation also come into play," he said. The Turkish Cardiology Society, through its "Heart Failure Day" press conference, drew attention to heart failure disease and called on everyone to pay attention to heart health and undergo regular check-ups.