The Cima and the Clínica Universidad de Navarra celebrated Heart Failure (HF) Awareness Week with an information table in the hall of the hospital. On Friday, group professionals explained to patients and their families the main symptoms and risk factors of this pathology. In addition, nurses from department of Cardiology have performed blood pressure control tests.

HF is characterized by the inability of the heart to pump enough blood to the body, which prevents oxygen and nutrients from reaching the other organs for their normal functioning. As a result, patients experience, among other symptoms, tiredness, shortness of breath and swelling in the legs. As HF progresses, the risk of urgent hospital admissions increases and the quality of life of patients deteriorates considerably, resulting in high healthcare costs partner.

HF is the fourth leading cause of death in women and the fifth in men in our country. Specifically, mortality 5 years after diagnosis is almost 50%, higher than some cancers.

To reduce their incidence, it is essential to prevent cardiovascular disease by controlling risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cholesterol and smoking). Scientists are also investigating the mechanisms that cause heart failure in order to develop new biomarkers and drugs that allow early diagnosis and help to establish a more personalized treatment for each patient.