Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
12 May 2014 08:48
The vast majority of people cannot identify the common symptoms of heart failure
Most people are unable to identify the common symptoms of heart failure, according to new research.
The survey, sponsored by pharmaceutical company Novartis, reveals that only 5% of Britons could spot three common signs of the potentially fatal condition.
Perhaps more worrying is the fact that 85% of those polled thought the symptoms were just a normal sign of ageing.
A total of 1,000 people aged 50 and over took part in the study.
In light of the findings, The Pumping Marvellous Foundation is calling more to be done to raise awareness of heart failure, which usually occurs because the heart muscle has become too weak or stiff to work properly.
The heart is therefore unable to pump enough blood around the body at the right pressure.
Breathlessness, extreme tiredness and ankle swelling are the main symptoms that health official recommend keeping an eye out for.
Over 750,000 people in the UK suffer from heart failure. It can affect people of all ages, but it is more common in older individuals.
Nick Hartshorne Evans, founder of The Pumping Marvellous Foundation, described it as "worrying" that so many people cannot identify the common symptoms.
He wants to see more done to improve the public's knowledge on the subject, especially as the number of sufferers is on the rise.
Factors including more people surviving heart attacks, undetected prolonged hypertension, late presentation of cardiac conditions as well as poor lifestyle choices and an ageing population are all contributing to the growing total.
Early identification and access to heart failure services can improve the outcomes for individuals living with heart failure.
This makes it possible for them to carry on enjoying the finer things in life, such as holidaying abroad. However, sufferers need to make sure they are fully aware of the condition and book relevant travel insurance in order to keep themselves safe on their travels.
19 September 2018
Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are shelling out tens of thousands of pounds for care - and many are unable to cover the costs, a leading charity has warned.
[more...]
18 September 2018
As much as £6 of every £10 spent on domestic flights in the UK goes on Air Passenger Duty (APD), new research suggests.
15 September 2018
UK driving licences might become invalid in certain European countries if the UK crashes out of the EU with no deal, the Government has warned.
14 September 2018
Online crowdfunding for cancer treatments is indirectly advancing the rise of alternative "quack" therapies, experts have warned.
13 September 2018
A "wee-stick" like those used in pregnancy testing could be employed to prevent thousands of deaths from ovarian cancer.
11 September 2018
As many as 1.3 million passengers endured severe flight delays in the last year, a new study reveals.
08 September 2018
British Airways customers are cancelling their credit cards after the carrier was hit by a 15-day data breach that compromised the details of around 380,000 people.
06 September 2018
Plastic trays at security desks harbour the highest numbers of viruses at airports, new research has discovered.
05 September 2018
Adults are being urged to take advantage of a new online tool to find out if they are at risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
04 September 2018
Child cancer patients regularly have to travel twice as far and pay out twice as much when getting treatment, new data shows.
01 September 2018
Scientists have used artificial intelligence to predict how cancers will progress and evolve, which could help doctors design the most effective treatment for each patient.
31 August 2018
Fewer than half of adults are taking advantage of the free midlife MOT offered by the NHS, despite its potential to help diagnose serious illnesses.