What is Cardiac Insufficiency?
Cardiac insufficiency or heart failure is the incapability of the heart to pump strongly enough to make sufficient blood reach the entire body. Consequently, people feel weaker, tired or experience shortness of breath. It is the first cause of hospitalization in the population over 65 years.
Cardiac Insufficiency explained in first person
Cardiac Insufficiency can be treated. The fundamental key is changing your lifestyle: give-up smoking and alcohol, follow a low-fat and low-salut diet and daily exercise.
Medicine gives us opportunities as well as giving us the tools to be able to fight and move forward, we take them all. In addition, a positive attitude is the best medication.
Cardiac insufficiency, also known as heart failure, occurs when the heart cannot pump strongly enough to make sufficient blood reach the entire body. Thus the organs receive less blood and fluid tends to accumulate in the lungs, legs and abdomen. Consequently, people with heart failure feel weaker, tired or experience shortness of breath. Daily activities, such as walking, climbing stairs, lifting shopping, etc., may become much harder.
How many people are affected by Cardiac Insufficiency?
Cardiac insufficiency is very common and affects between 10–20% of people aged between 70 and 80 years. In Spain, cardiac insufficiency, a.k.a. heart failure, is the third highest cause of cardiovascular mortality and represents 15% of all deaths in this category. It is also the primary cause of hospitalisation in people aged over 65. The 5-year post-diagnosis survival rate is 50%.
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Published: 20 February 2018
Updated: 20 February 2018
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