Different estimates agree that between 60 and 70% of cases of heart failure would be avoidable if certain risk factors, directly related to our lifestyle, were controlled in time: hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and smoking.
This is stated by Dr. Ignacio Ferreira, from the Dexeus University Hospital in Barcelona, who recalls that heart failure is a syndrome characterized especially by the functional inability to perform efforts, which is expressed in the form of a feeling of lack of air or suffocation. .
“The cardinal symptom that should alert us is the feeling of shortness of breath (dyspnea), which initially appears with moderate, or even significant, efforts. When a person begins to notice that their ability to perform normal efforts decreases, they should consult their doctor. Swelling may also appear in the lower extremities (ankles, feet, legs),” he maintains.
In turn, this cardiologist remembers that this feeling of lack of air initially appears with moderate physical exertion, but if heart failure progresses, suffocation appears even at rest and could, if not remedied, lead to the death of the patient.
In this context, remember that the mortality of heart failure is similar or even higher than that of many cancers. “It usually occurs due to disease progression, although sudden death has been described as a frequent cause. “Once heart failure is completely established, annual mortality is around 10%.”
In fact, Dr. Ferreira points out that it is a condition that is very common throughout the world, being more common in developed countries, with a prevalence of around 8.9% in those over 75 years of age, especially among women. women.
Furthermore, this expert recognizes that heart failure is one of the “most disabling diseases and with a greater impact on the quality of life of patients”, and in fact, as he emphasizes, “it represents a loss of functionality that causes a great loss of quality of life” in those affected. Hence, the most important thing, logically, is its prevention.
For more than a decade, it has been known that aerobic physical exercise, carried out in a manner adapted to the degree of heart failure, "very significantly" improves the quality of life and prognosis of these patients, highlights this cardiologist. In this sense, he maintains that patients' knowledge of the disease allows for almost daily monitoring of fundamental aspects (diet, blood pressure, weight, etc.) and, with this, it is easier to maintain balance without decompensation for long periods of time. seasons.
"The rehabilitation units have helped very significantly in this, as well as indicating exercise plans specially planned for this population, they manage to increase the patient's knowledge about their illness, and raise awareness about the most appropriate hygienic-dietary measures for each case." ”, assesses the expert.
Specifically, the specialist at the Dexeus University Hospital in Barcelona recalls that heart failure occurs when the heart does not perform its 'pump function' adequately, for various reasons such as, for example, because the force of contraction decreases, or because the heart valves do not work, or the result of a birth problem with the heart muscle. “Essentially, what occurs in heart failure is that, by not being able to pump correctly, blood does not reach the tissues in sufficient quantity and accumulates in the lungs,” he points out.
Furthermore, this cardiologist maintains that most diseases or disorders that affect the heart (myocardial infarction, valve problems, uncontrolled high blood pressure, etc.) can lead to heart failure.
“Virtually any disease that affects the heart can end up impairing the function of pumping blood, which ends up causing heart failure. Now, the two most common diseases that affect the heart and, therefore, can end up causing heart failure, are ischemic heart disease (myocardial infarction, angina pectoris...) and hypertensive heart disease. Both diseases are also caused by the same risk factors: hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and smoking,” he warns.
For the diagnosis, in the opinion of Dr. Ferreira, in addition to the clinical history and examination, it is essential to perform an echocardiography, an electrocardiogram, and a chest x-ray; examinations, all of which will guide the origin of the symptoms and the underlying heart disease.
"Today, we also have specific markers in blood tests that are very useful, in addition to other more sophisticated examinations (cardio-resonance, cardiac CT, catheterization), fundamental for the in-depth study of the disease," he adds. .
Now, once the heart's pumping failure is established, this Quirónsalud Dexeus specialist emphasizes, today there are innovations in the pharmaceutical field that act at different levels so that, correctly scheduled and in combination, they can, if not reverse, then yes. partially restore the pumping function of the heart, achieving a very important improvement in the quality of life and prognosis of these patients.
“At the same time, the underlying disease that gave rise to heart failure must be attacked, sometimes through interventional techniques (catheterizations, surgical interventions, etc.). For very advanced stages of the disease we also have, in addition to heart transplant, other innovations such as cardiac resynchronization devices, and even ventricular assistance devices (artificial hearts),” celebrates Dr. Ferreira.
Ultimately, this specialist values that these strategies for advanced failure, which practically did not exist a decade ago, have their specific indication, and "without a doubt" assures that they have managed to improve the quality of life and prognosis of these patients "in a way." substantial".
hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and smoking.
The two most common diseases that affect the heart and, therefore, can end up causing heart failure, are ischemic heart disease (myocardial infarction, angina pectoris...) and hypertensive heart disease. Both diseases, furthermore, are caused by the same risk factors: hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and smoking,” he warns.
