The number of people affected is underestimated, since patients take time to be diagnosed. Medicare will launch an awareness campaign.
A 25% increase
At least 1.5 million French people are currently affected by theheart failure.
This disease, too little known, however, continues to progress, announced theHealth Insurance. The number of people affected is underestimated, because the sick are slow to be diagnosed, reports South West. The figure is expected to increase by 25% every four years, according to the National Fund forHealth Insurance. However, this disease has serious consequences, because it is the cause of a deterioration in the quality of life, repeated hospitalizations or even death.
Caution is advised from the age of 60
Unusual shortness of breath, rapid weight gain, edema of the feet and ankles, or excessive fatigue. According to theHealth Insurancethese symptoms are not specific, but their association or their recent occurrence should suggest a heart failure. They are to be monitored especially from the age of 60.
Indeed, the disease affects this category in particular. The risk of contracting it increases with age, thus affecting 10% of seniors aged 70 and over. However, an increase is also observed in the 55-year-old category due to harmful lifestyle habits (smoking, sedentary lifestyle, diet), according to the Cnam.
An awareness campaign
Due to the ignorance of this pathology, theHealth Insurance will launch a national awareness campaign on September 25. Its slogan will be: “Heart failure : what if your heart was trying to tell you something?”
This event, organized in the run-up to World Heart Day on September 29, will be advertised for the general public in the press, radio, television and social networks. It aims to improve knowledge of theheart failurewarning signs and thus promote early diagnosis, by encouraging patients to talk regarding it with their doctor.
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