What Is Heart Failure?
Only you can take the first step to protect your heart health. Give yourself the attention you deserve, starting with learning the basics about heart failure.
About Heart Failure
Heart failure is a common, yet serious condition. Despite its name, heart failure doesn’t mean that your heart will suddenly stop working. Instead, heart failure develops slowly as the heart muscle gradually weakens.
Who’s at Risk for Heart Failure?
Despite as being considered a lower risk group, Hispanics hospitalized for heart failure are younger than Caucasians, have a higher risk of heart failure and higher rate of death. And although fewer people are getting heart failure in the United States, the rate of decline is much lower in the Black community than in other racial/ethnic groups.
Diabetes, obesity and smoking are responsible for more than half of the cases of heart failure1
3.6 Million women in the United States are affected by heart failure2
Heart Failure Symptoms
Breathing problems are common symptoms of heart failure. This happens when fluid backs up in the lungs and the surrounding tissues.
What to watch for
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Fatigue (feeling very tired) |
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Shortness of breath with or without exercise |
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Wheezing, or a dry hacking cough after lying down |
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Water retention |
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Heart Palpitations |
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Difficulty concentrating |
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Dizziness or fainting |
Check your risk. Early diagnosis is critical to early treatment, which can delay some symptoms. So, it’s important to get checked out right away. Take a quick risk assessment to find out if you’re at risk for heart failure, and what you can do about it.
Heart Failure Treatment
There are many kinds of therapy for heart failure, including making lifestyle changes, taking medications, placing implantable devices and undergoing surgeries.
Resources & Research
Access Health Information & Healthcare
Boston Scientific talked to patients around the country to find out what resources would be most helpful and designed this resource page with your needs in mind.
- Learn about health conditions and treatments
- Find out why diversity in clinical trials matters
- Find a doctor near you
- Review questions to ask your doctor
- Get reliable rides to your appointment
- Understand common medical terms
Learn About Diversity in Clinical Trials
Women and minority clinical trial volunteers are needed in order to create meaningful medical research that applies to people of all backgrounds.
- Find out who’s under-represented in clinical trials
- Find out about the benefits for your family and community
- Learn the basics about participating in clinical research
- Take steps to improve diversity in clinical trials
Need a Doctor You Can Trust?
They’re out there, and we have a tool to help you find them.
References:
1 American heart Association (2019). Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2019 update.
2 Cleveland Clinic