Are You Among the Five Million Americans Who Have Heart Failure?

Every year, 670,000 new heart failure patients are diagnosed in the United States. This common, yet often undiagnosed, condition occurs when a person’s heart muscles weaken. They slowly lose the ability to pump enough blood to the rest of the body. Heart failure causes more hospital stays than all forms of cancer combined.

How Do I Know if I Am At Risk for Heart Failure?

Even one risk factor can result in heart failure. Having many risk factors only increases your chance. Risk factors include:

• High blood pressure
• Heart attack
• Damage to the heart valves or history of a heart murmur
• Enlarged heart
• Family history of enlarged heart
• Diabetes
• Lung disease
• Infection of the heart muscle
• Drinking too much alcohol

Know Your Heart Health Risk

Learn how to better understand your risk for heart disease and get recommendations for next steps.

Read the article

What are the Symptoms of Heart Failure?

Heart failure usually develops slowly and is a chronic, long-term condition. However, sometimes the symptoms can develop quickly. Some of the signs and symptoms are:

• Breathing problems: shortness of breath from walking stairs or simple activities, trouble breathing when resting or lying down, waking up breathless or needing more than two pillows to sleep
• Fatigue/exercise problems: tiring easily, swelling of feet, ankles or legs and general feeling of fatigue
• Coughing: frequent coughing, coughing that produces mucus or blood, or dry, hacking cough when lying flat

How is Heart Failure Treated?

Heart failure is a chronic disease that needs lifelong management. However, with treatment, a heart can become stronger. Symptoms of heart failure can also improve. The first line of treatment for heart failure consists of medicines taken daily, lifestyle changes and careful monitoring.

When Should I Call My Healthcare Provider?

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the signs or symptoms associated with heart failure. You should also call if your diagnosed heart failure symptoms change.

Call 911 right away or go to the emergency room if you have any of the following problems:

• • Breathing problems
  • Chest pain, tightness or heaviness
  • Confusion or trouble thinking clearly

The Bronson Heart & Vascular team is committed to heart and vascular disease prevention and sharing easy steps you can take to live a healthier life. Looking for a Bronson doctor to help you? For a complete list of providers at Bronson, visit bronsonhealth.com/find-a-doctor or call Bronson HealthAnswers at (269) 341-7723.