Heart failure campaign raises awareness of condition which can have worse outcomes than many cancers

Concerns have been raised about the growing number of people diagnosed with heart failure in Northern Ireland, a condition which can have worse outcomes than many cancers.

A leading health charity says that the number of people diagnosed with the condition has increased by 40% in the last 10 years.

Figures show that around 20,231 people are living with heart failure in the north and 6,391 hospital admissions per year are due to it.

But the Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke (NICHS) says it is estimated the figure will rise in excess of 50% in the next 25 years, due to an ageing population and rising obesity and diabetes levels.

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It comes as it launches a new heart failure awareness campaign aimed at educating the public about the condition, its symptoms and encouraging people to seek medical advice if they are experiencing any signs of heart failure.

Ursula Ferguson from NICHS, said: “The number of people diagnosed with heart failure has increased by 40% in the last 10 years so we are really concerned about how these figures may rise over the coming years.

“In fact, it is estimated there is likely to be an increase in people being diagnosed with heart failure in excess of 50% in the next 25 years, due to an ageing population and rising obesity and diabetes levels.”

“We are running our heart failure awareness campaign, which includes extensive outdoor, digital and radio advertising, to help people across Northern Ireland learn more about the signs and symptoms of this often-misunderstood condition.

“In a recent survey, 66% of people in Northern Ireland did not know the symptoms of heart failure and it is crucial the public are aware of these.

“The most common symptoms of heart failure are breathlessness, exhaustion, and swollen ankles.

“Symptoms may develop quickly or gradually over weeks or months.

“If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, we would urge you to make an appointment to speak to your GP as soon as you can.

“If you do have heart failure, the sooner it is diagnosed the sooner you can get started on the correct treatment and care plan which is vitally important.”