Heart failure – the epidemic of the 21st century
Heart failure is an umbrella term for a group of diseases that lead to impaired heart muscle function. Their causes and symptoms may vary, but the common denominator is a deterioration in the heart’s pumping function and the associated disruption of blood flow to the lungs and the rest of the body. This manifests itself primarily in shortness of breath and swelling of the lower limbs, but also in fatigue, reduced performance, or digestive problems. The diagnosis of heart failure consists of a clinical examination, an ECG, and the use of laboratory (blood tests) and imaging methods (primarily ultrasound of the heart, commonly known as an echo).
Determining the cause of heart failure often requires invasive methods, such as examining the blood supply to the heart (called selective coronary angiography). The most common causes of heart failure include coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, heart valve defects, and arrhythmia. The risk of developing heart and blood vessel damage increases sharply in diabetes. Genetic causes, such as Fabry disease, are rare.
Heart failure is a serious diagnosis that places a significant burden on patients and shortens their lives. Fortunately, treatment options for heart failure are improving and are widely available.
The incidence of heart failure in the Czech and global populations is rising sharply as we suffer from lifestyle diseases and generally live to a higher age. It is estimated that heart failure already affects around 350,000 people in our country, and this number is set to more than double within 15 years. This is therefore a truly urgent health epidemic.