With 2 million people affected in France, heart failure increases by 25% every 4 years, due to the aging of the population. A chronic and progressive pathology, it results from the inability of the heart muscle (the cardiac “pump”) to send sufficient blood to the organs, and therefore the oxygen and nutrients they need.
The heart tries to compensate by increasing the frequency of its beats and its output, but it becomes exhausted and physiological changes eventually appear. First with effort, if it is not taken care of, heart failure progresses and occurs even at rest.
It is estimated that heart failure is responsible for the deaths of 70,000 people each year in France.
EPOF, these four symptoms to know
To combat diagnostic wandering and enable early detection of the disease, the French Society of Cardiology is organizing the first heart failure screening day in 25 hospitals and clinics in France.
Objective: to detect heart failure and refer to a cardiologist but also to raise awareness of the warning signs of the disease, the symptoms whose initials constitute the acronym “EPOF”.
EPOF, these are four non-specific symptoms but whose association and recent occurrence should immediately alert:
- E pour shortness of breath during exercise and/or in a lying position;
- P pour weight gain significant in a few days;
- O pour edema lower limbs with swollen legs and feet;
- F pour fatigue important, which limits daily activities.
“These symptoms are generally unrelated by patients and the general public to a heart problem. And patients do not consult primary care despite these symptoms, often attributed to age or a venous circulation problem. notes Professor Thibaud Damy, cardiologist at Henri-Mondor hospital (Créteil), during a press conference on September 6.
A heavy impact on quality of life
While symptoms are generally present several weeks or even 2 months before hospitalization for almost half of patients, “We always act too late. In people’s minds, the relationship between symptoms and heart failure is not made, continues the specialist.
To confirm the diagnosis, a determination of NT-proBNP, a cardiac biomarker, is carried out. Additional examinations are then carried out to determine the cause. Then, the treatment aims to stop the progression of heart failure, reduce its complications (hospitalization and death) and improve the quality of life of patients, the pathology having a strong impact on daily life.
“According to various data, the quality of life of heart failure patients is at the same level as a patient who is dialated three times a week. The impact on daily, social and professional life is very significant,” specifies Dr Benoît Lequeux.
EPON, the four pillars of treatment
To treat heart failure, the “EPON” strategy has proven itself:
- E pour exercice or regular physical activity. Note that it is important to stop all activity in the event of shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, nausea and cold sweats;
- P to pwork regularly : consult your doctor quickly in the event of rapid weight gain over 2 or 3 days;
- O for observer its treatment and monitoring;
- N for ne do not salt the food : 4 to 6 grams of salt per day corresponds to a low-salt diet. You should add little salt to your dishes and avoid consuming very salty products such as cold meats, cheese and ready-made meals.
“Together, these 4 treatments improve patient survival, reduce rehospitalizations and improve quality of life,” explains Dr. Benoît Lequeux.
Find heart failure screening days near you by clicking here.
