Mega Doctor News
In order to supply all cells and organs with oxygen and nutrient rich blood, the body depends on the heart’s ability to fill and contract. Heart failure, however, affects the pumping action of the heart muscles and causes the body to not receive the oxygen it needs, leading to fatigue, shortness of breath and swelling in the lower extremities.
A multi-faceted condition, heart failure is caused by a weakened or damaged heart that prevents the muscle from pumping blood as it should. The life-threatening condition affects an estimated 6.7 million adults over the age of 20 in the United States, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with heart failure mentioned as the cause of the death on 457,212 death certificates in 2022 alone.
Steadily increasing over the last decade, especially among younger adults, the prevalence of heart failure is expected to nearly double to a staggering 11.4 million by 2050, per the CDC. Health experts blame the rising numbers on the nation’s obesity epidemic, as well as increasing rates of high blood pressure across the country.
“While heart failure is common, it can be rather difficult to diagnose,” says Deborah Meeks, Chief Nursing Officer, South Texas Health System Heart. “Because the heart can’t pump as well as it should and the body isn’t getting the blood it needs to function properly, the heart can sometimes enlarge, develop more muscle mass or pump faster. While these measures are intended to increase the heart’s output, these compensation methods can also mask heart failure, making it hard to diagnose in a timely manner.”
Unlike a heart attack, heart failure happens gradually over time and can lead to hospitalization, even death, as it worsens. Unhealthy habits like excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, consuming foods heavy in fat, cholesterol and sodium and not getting sufficient exercise can all contribute to heart failure.
While the condition cannot always be improved, there are situations where an early diagnoses, treatment and aggressive lifestyle changes can make a positive difference.
“The key to possibly reversing the effects of heart failure, and essentially prolonging your life, is to make necessary changes to support a heart healthy lifestyle,” shares Meeks. “By prioritizing heart health and following a strict regimen, one may be able to improve heart function, thus, improving overall health.”
So, as part of its American Heart Month commemorations, South Texas Health System is dedicating its latest Let’s Talk Your Health webinar to heart failure.
Intended to help Rio Grande Valley residents understand the risks and effects of heart failure and the impact the condition can have on a person’s quality of life, the webinar will stream live via the STHS Facebook page on Tuesday, February 18, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Led by an STHS Clinics interventional cardiologist, the online seminar will highlight the causes, risk factors and complications of heart failure, as well as offer advice on protecting and promoting your heart health.
For more information on the webinar, visit the STHS Facebook Events page. To watch previous Let’s Talk Your Health Seminars, visit STHSLetsTalk.com.
| Who: | South Texas Health System |
| What: | FREE virtual seminar entitled “Let’s Talk Your Health – Heart Failure” |
| When: | Tuesday, February 18, 2025, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. |
| Where: | Online via STHS’ Facebook page |
