It is a disease that affects the heart, but of which little is known and alarm bells are often underestimated.
In Italy it is one of the main causes of death among cardiovascular diseases, yet little is known and we tend to neglect the symptoms. It is heart failure, a disease that prevents the heart from optimally pumping blood throughout the body.
In Italy it affects over one million people, with about 190,000 hospitalizations every year (more than 500 per day). As the population ages, the incidence is expected to double by 2030. Heart failure mainly affects the elderly population, although being young is not in itself a guarantee.
The disease, if not treated in time, is potentially fatal and diagnosis equates to a reduction in life expectancy of about ten years.
Silent disease
Often asymptomatic, this pathology has some alarm bells that can be underestimated or confused with other disorders. First of all, fatigue as a result of trivial actions, such as climbing a flight of stairs or picking up a child, to which can be added a generalized lack of energy.
And then a persistent and unjustified cough, perhaps at night. Finally, it should also alert you to have cold hands and feet and swollen ankles.
Often the symptoms appear gradually, making it more difficult for the patient to realize the worsening of their condition.
Causes and prevention
Those who have heart problems, of any kind, are more prone to decompensation. High blood pressure, congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease (ischemic heart disease), valvular diseases or heart infections should be indicators for more accurate checks, while those who have had a heart attack should immediately investigate the suspicion of having a decompensation. Other risk factors are obesity, kidney dysfunction and diabetes.
Eliminating smoking, following a balanced and low-fat diet, reducing alcohol consumption and practicing physical activity on a regular basis are some simple measures that allow you to reduce the risk of decompensation.
In general, those suffering from other heart diseases should respect adherence to therapies and note any small variation of the disorders, and then talk immediately with their doctor.
Treatments
In the choice of therapy much depends on the progress of the disease. In the past, decompensation has been combated pharmacologically with beta-blockers, molecules that allow to reduce damage without eliminating it. The heart of those who are subject to decompensation, in fact, remains damaged forever. More recently, the combination of two antihypertensives has allowed, in addition to buffering the problem, also to increase the protection of the heart, reducing cardiovascular mortality by 20% and hospitalization for heart failure.
This means not only a lengthening of life expectancy, but also an improvement in its quality; The hunger for air and severe fatigue typical of decompensation, in fact, are significantly reduced and the patient can gradually return to a more active life.
In the event that the heart is particularly compromised, however, the only viable path remains that of transplantation.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
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