This is a pathology that is rarely talked about in France, but which is nevertheless very common. Each year in France, more than 70,000 people die of heart failure. In total, around 1.5 million people are affected, even though some of them do not know that they have a “tired” heart. Faced with this situation, the French Society of Cardiology is launching an information and screening campaign to raise awareness of these warning signs.
Heart failure means that the heart is tired and no longer circulates blood properly in the body. But the problem is that at first, the disease can be silent. However, there are four signs that should alert you. To recognize them, doctors have grouped them under the acronym “EPOF” explains Dr. Florence Beauvais, cardiologist at Lariboisière Hospital in Paris.
Only one reflex to see
“E, for shortness of breath, shortness of breath that gradually gets worse and can even occur when lying down. P, for weight gain, when you gain weight in a few days with your ankles swelling, that’s not normal. O, for edema, your lower limbs will swell and F, for fatigue,” she explained to Europe 1.
Faced with these symptoms, there is only one reflex: consult your doctor to confirm the diagnosis. The earlier the disease is detected, the better it will be for the patient. “A patient with heart failure, with some medication constraints, will be able to live a long and healthy life,” says the professional. Until December 19, it is possible to get tested in 24 hospitals in France. It only takes ten minutes and it is completely free.
