Some 10,000 people are newly diagnosed with heart failure every year in Ireland and it is the leading cause of hospitalisation here, yet just 7% of people can identify the condition's symptoms, a new report has highlighted.

Heart failure is a potentially life-threatening condition which leads to the heart being unable to pump enough blood around the body. Symptoms include tiredness, shortness of breath, dizziness and swollen ankles and around 90,000 people are currently living with the condition in Ireland.

However, according to the report, Heart Failure Country Barometer: Ireland, the condition is not a lost cause and the introduction of a number of key policies could improve the lives of those affected.

The report, which was developed by Croí and the Heartbeat Trust, with input from healthcare professionals, advocacy experts and patients, highlighted four key policies, which could help those affected by this ‘forgotten' condition:

-Make heart failure a national priority. This would involve, among other things, ensuring that there are enough resources to implement the HSE's National Clinical Programme for Heart Failure on a national level
-Prioritise speedy diagnosis and treatment
-Ensure consistent and coordinated patient care, particularly in the community
-Increase awareness and understanding of heart failure.

Commenting on the report, Professor Ken McDonald, a consultant cardiologist and National Clinical Lead for Heart Failure, pointed out that chronic illness ‘threatens to overrun our healthcare system'.

"Heart Failure, as the most complex of these illnesses, can be used as a pilot to establish effective methods of managing chronic diseases, primarily in the community, with the support of hospital-based specialists when needed.

"A large number of premature deaths still occur as a result of lack of knowledge of heart failure and its symptoms. Better recognition would prompt people to seek treatment at an earlier stage, leading to more accurate diagnosis, decreased risk of hospitalisations and improved survival rates," he explained.

He emphasised that most types of heart failure are preventable and patients who are treated early ‘can significantly improve their outcome'.

If these key policies are introduced, they will improve the prevention, treatment and management of heart failure nationwide, Prof McDonald added.

Also commenting on the report, Croí CEO, Neil Johnson, said that this report creates a framework for the Government to improve the lives of those affected.

"Heart failure treatment is no longer a lost cause. We know what we need to do to protect 90,000 hearts in Ireland, and the additional 10,000 newly diagnosed each year. Now we must do it," he said.

For more information on Croí, click here
For more information on the Heartbeat Trust, click here