Thousands at risk of dying from heart failure

Thousands are at risk of dying from heart failure because of a "staggering lack of awareness" of the symptoms involved.

The claim was made by the Irish Heart Foundation after results from Europe’s largest-ever heart failure survey found this country is falling behind when it comes to addressing the issue.

Speaking at the launch of the Novartis report on Heart Failure Awareness Day yesterday, the body said 90,000 people in this country are currently living with the condition.

However, it said that despite the huge numbers affected, less than one in 10 people can identify its symptoms, while others do not even know what it is.

Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood around the body because the muscle responsible for the pumping action has weakened or is too stiff. It can be caused by damage from a previous heart attack; high blood pressure; or a weak heart muscle.

However, while linked, it differs from a heart attack, which occurs when an artery bringing blood to the heart, and therefore its oxygen supply, becomes blocked.

The Europe-wide survey found just 7% of Irish people could identify three symptoms of heart failure, including shortness of breath, swollen ankles, and fatigue. A further nine out of 10 mistook at least one of these symptoms for signs of “normal” ageing.

Despite the fact that heart failure causes more deaths than other high- profile conditions, just 5% felt its risk was higher than bowel cancer or stroke.

St Vincent’s consultant cardiologist, Prof Kenneth McDonald, said: “Early diagnosis and intervention is key to managing heart failure. People can have active and comfortable lives if it’s caught promptly.

* www.irishheart.ie=