Heart failure is more prevalent in the South. Here’s what you need to know.
The term “heart failure” seems to imply that the heart has stopped beating — that it has, in essence, failed. But that’s not quite accurate.
Instead, it refers to a progressive condition in which a person’s heart muscle is weakened, unable to pump blood to the body in the way that it should. This results in symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue and having fluid build up in the legs and feet.
“Heart failure is an epidemic,” said Dr. Kelly Schlendorf, medical director of Vanderbilt Heart’s Adult Heart Transplant Program. “Nationally, upwards of 6 million people are living with it. The Heart Failure Society of America states that among patients with severe or advanced heart failure, the one-year survival rate is often less than 50%.”
Risk factors for heart failure
Common risk factors – things that make it more likely that you will have heart failure – include coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. At least half of people diagnosed with heart failure have at least one of these other conditions, Schlendorf said.
“It’s important for patients to recognize what the risk factors are,” she explained. “A person with high blood pressure may feel fine and choose not to take his or her blood pressure medications. However, uncontrolled blood pressure over many years can ultimately lead to heart failure.”
Heart failure can also be caused by things like genetics, viral infections, drinking too much alcohol and certain chemotherapies.
For many people, the cause of their heart failure is not known. Heart failure happens more to people who are 65 years old and older than it does to people younger than 65. “But old age is not synonymous with heart failure,” Schlendorf said.
Symptoms of heart failure
Symptoms can be minor and easy to overlook, or to chalk up to aging.
“The most common symptoms result from the build-up of extra fluid, which leads to shortness of breath, frequent coughing and fatigue,” Schlendorf said. Other symptoms may include swelling in the legs and ankles, an increased need to urinate at night, dizziness and trouble concentrating.
Reducing the risk
That healthy lifestyle we all know we should adopt — with heart-healthy food, exercise, weight control, not smoking — isn’t just so we can feel good now. It’s our future.
“Lead a healthy lifestyle,” Schlendorf said. “See your doctor. Work to control your diabetes or high blood pressure. Stay active.”
“Plenty of data suggests that higher sodium (salt) intake is associated with higher blood pressure,” she added. “Especially for patients who already have high blood pressure, limiting salt in the diet is important in helping to reduce one’s chances of developing heart failure.”
The Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute‘s team treats all types of cardiovascular diseases and conditions, from the common to the complex. Our team is consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report among the best heart hospitals in the nation and the best in Tennessee. Our wide range of services are offered in convenient locations throughout the region.
