It’s Heart Failure Awareness Week!
The theme for this year is ‘Awareness Today, Protection Tomorrow’, which encourages us to learn about the symptoms of heart failure and highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
The symptoms of heart failure can vary from person to person – they may start suddenly or develop gradually over time.
The main symptoms to look out for are:
- Breathlessness – at rest or on exertion
- Fainting or feeling lightheaded
- Fatigue – feeling tired or weak, which gets worse with activity
- New persistent cough
- Swelling in feet, ankles or lower body
If you’re experiencing the symptoms of heart failure – speak to your GP. Don’t wait!
Early diagnosis can make a big difference.
1 in 5 adults will develop heart failure in their lifetime. It is a long-term condition, but treatments can ease and control symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Reduce your risk by:
- Doing regular physical exercise
- Controlling diabetes
- Not smoking
- Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels
- Treating high blood pressure
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Using heart medications as prescribed
Taking proactive measures – like getting regular health checks and making positive lifestyle changes can reduce your risk and help you manage an existing condition.
To raise awareness about heart failure, we have an information banner permanently located in the cardiac diagnostics reception area in the Louisa Martindale building (LMB) at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.
For Heart Failure Awareness Week, we have also placed a banner by the LMB main entrance – which we hope will be seen by everyone who comes through the busy reception space. It’s pictured below along with members of the amazing Brighton heart failure team.
We’re proud to support all the amazing NHS heart failure teams across Sussex. From assessing symptoms to managing medication and offering vital help, information and support, their work makes a real difference to people living with heart failure.
Thank you for the vital work you do.
