According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 4.2% of Hispanics in the United States have heart failure.
Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Here are some important points about this condition:
- Causes: Conditions that damage the heart, such as coronary artery disease and hypertension, can lead to heart failure. Other factors include diabetes, obesity, and certain infections.
- Symptoms: Common symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet, rapid weight gain due to fluid retention, among others.
- Diagnosis: Diagnosis of heart failure may involve a physical examination, blood tests, an electrocardiogram, a chest X-ray, an echocardiogram, and other tests.
- Treatment: Treatment for heart failure may include medications, lifestyle changes, implantable medical devices, and in severe cases, heart transplantation.
If you have heart failure or are at risk, it is crucial to discuss management options with your doctor.
Being informed and leading a healthy lifestyle is very important for maintaining a strong and healthy heart. Stay informed, stay healthy.
To learn more about this topic, here are some links to reliable and detailed sources:
- https://www.cdc.gov/
- Information on heart diseases from the American Heart Association