Millions of Australians unknowingly at increased risk of heart failure

According to Professor Andrew Sindone, Director Heart Failure Unit and Department of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Concord Hospital and Head of Department of Cardiology, Ryde Hospital, living with heart failure comorbidities can take a toll on the physical and mental health of an individual, but effective management is crucial to ensure best outcomes and a better quality of life.  

“Despite the name, heart failure doesn’t mean the heart has stopped or failed, it means that the heart is ‘failing’ to keep up with the body’s demands.⁹ A comorbidity, which is any co-existing health condition, is one contributing factor to heart failure if not properly managed, so, it's essential to speak to your GP to understand your risks and treat any underlying medical conditions you may have.⁵ Having these early discussions with your GP can support early detection and intervention of heart failure, reducing the risk of life-threatening complications including heart attack and stroke,^4,10” stated Professor Sindone. 

Heart failure affects people in different ways. In its early stages, heart failure often has no symptoms.  Symptoms can start suddenly and be severe (acute heart failure) or they may appear over time and gradually worsen (chronic heart failure).¹¹ 

Symptoms of heart failure can include: 

• Breathlessness during minimal exercise, or when resting  

• Sudden weight gain  

• New or worsening tiredness, dizziness, confusion, or sadness  

• Discomfort or swelling in the tummy or lower body  

• Increased trouble sleeping  

• Swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet  

• Loss of appetite  

• Dry cough  

• Irregular heartbeat or palpitations^11,12 

“Heart Failure Awareness Week is a Hearts4heart initiative, designed to raise awareness about the prevalence of heart failure in Australia, increase understanding of heart failure symptoms, and highlight the importance of early detection to improve patient outcomes,¹²” said Ms Hall. 

In May 2023, the Heart Health Check program, subsidised by Medicare, was extended for another two years, allowing people aged 45 and over and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 30 and over to assess their risk of heart disease during a 20-minute consultation with a medical practitioner.  

Hearts4heart is a non-profit organisation that supports, educates, and advocates for people with heart disease in Australia and New Zealand. Hearts4heart works to eliminate stroke and preventable deaths and improve the quality of life for patients and caregivers. 

Bringing together patients and healthcare professionals to reduce the burden of heart disease, Hearts4heart provides targeted educational programs, resources, and services to improve diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life. To find out more visit www.hearts4heart.org.au  

The YouGov study ‘Awareness of heart failure comorbidities’ surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,084 Australians aged 18 years and older in between 29 April and 1 May 2024. The survey was conducted using an online survey administered to members of the YouGov Plc Australian panel of 80,000+ individuals who have agreed to take part in surveys. After the survey's completion, the data was weighted by age, gender, and region to reflect the latest ABS population estimates.