Impact on people
At least 1 million Canadians have heart failure – many of whom do not yet know that they suffer from this condition. Due to that, this figure may actually be understated. A compromised circulatory system changes your life and can be so debilitating that almost half of the people afflicted with this disease can die within five years of diagnosis.
Life with heart failure can bring with it many new difficulties, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, a reduced ability to exercise, increased nighttime urination, swelling of the feet, legs, hands and face, appetite loss, nausea, difficulty concentrating, and a persistent cough. In short, it is life-changing – for loved ones and caregivers as well.
It doesn’t have to be this way. While most cases of heart failure are (currently) irreversible, treatments can help ease symptoms and extend life.