Originally published during Heart Failure Awareness Week 2023, this article explains why shifting the focus from function instead of failure is important. It also explores the risk factors of heart failure and healthy choices to manage your heart's function.
Function Not Failure
HF is a progressive condition in which the heart loses its ability to pump enough blood to supply the body’s needs. While the term “heart failure” might imply that the heart is no longer working and there is no hope for recovery, this is not entirely true.
More than 6 million adults in the United States are living with heart failure [1] and the course of treatment and patient prognosis can vary greatly by individual. Despite this staggering number, patients living with HF can indeed lead normal, active lifestyles.
Shifting the focus to function rather than failure, allows room for patient empowerment and self-advocacy. Focusing on function means shedding light on how a patient can make healthy choices to improve their quality of life while making the most of their visits with their healthcare providers throughout the course of treatment. It also helps to inform at-risk individuals and empower them to start conversations about the signs, symptoms, and risk factors of heart failure.
What are the risk factors for heart failure?
Although heart failure may strike at any age, it is more common in people as they get older, making age an important risk factor. [1] Older adults are also more likely to have other health conditions that cause heart failure. [2]
The risk of heart failure increases dramatically after the age of 65. Other risk factors include the following [2] [3]:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Fat deposits creating blockages in the heart’s arteries (coronary artery disease)
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Other Conditions Related to Heart Disease
- Damage to the heart valves or history of a heart murmur (valvular heart disease)
- Family history of heart failure. Genetics may play a role (Some cardiomyopathies)
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- Heart muscle disease and enlargement of the heart (cardiomyopathy)
- Atrial fibrillation, a common type of irregular heart rhythm, can also cause heart failure.
- Heart defects at birth (congenital heart disease)
- Heart or blood vessel conditions, serious lung disease, or infections such as HIV or SARS-CoV-2 raise your risk. This is also true for long-term health conditions such as sleep apnea, chronic kidney disease, anemia, thyroid disease, or iron overload. Cancer treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy can injure your heart and raise your risk as well.
- Black and African American people are more likely to have heart failure than people of other races, often have more serious cases of heart failure and experience heart failure at a younger age.
Are there any risk factors that I can control?
While many risk factors are out of your control, there are some that you may be able to impact. This includes unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as an unhealthy diet, smoking, using cocaine or other illegal drugs, heavy alcohol use, and lack of physical activity, increase your risk of heart failure.
How can I best manage my heart’s function?
Throughout Heart Failure Awareness Week 2023, HFSA will be sharing ways that all patients living with HF can manage their heart’s function. Keep watching for resources on Facebook and Instagram.
References
[1] HFSA Heart Failure Facts & Information
[2] Heart Failure Causes and Risk Factors
[3] Heart Failure