The Pumping Marvellous Foundation, the UK’s largest Heart Failure charity, is heading to Liverpool this month for a Heart Health Event in Williamson Square on Thursday 15 February. Heart disease is one of the most significant causes of death and disability in the city with an increasing number of fatalities predicted over the next 16 years, says the State of Health in the City 2040 report. NHS Cheshire and Merseyside suggests that there are currently approximately 6,500 people in the area that have not yet been diagnosed, placing emphasis on the importance of early detection and diagnostic testing. Heart failure results from the heart being unable to pump blood around the body effectively, and people living with this condition require assistance to enable better functioning of this vital organ.
The Pumping Marvellous Foundation aims to promote early diagnosis of heart failure through its BEAT campaign at the Heart Health Event. Acronym BEAT stands for Breathlessness, Exhaustion, Ankle Swelling and Time to Test. The foundation will be supported at the event by the Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Heart Failure Team and Central Liverpool Primary Care Network by offering heart health checks including blood pressure and pulse monitoring and a test to identify heart failure. As well as these symptoms, people may experience a persistent cough, dizziness and a fast heart rate, and some women may experience confusion due to overlapping symptoms linked with menopause. Being over 40, overweight or drinking too much alcohol, as well as having a history of high blood pressure, diabetes or a previous heart attack, are all risk factors for heart failure.
Nick Hartshorne-Evans, the CEO and founder of the Pumping Marvellous Foundation, said: “We are pleased to bring the BEAT Heart Failure campaign to Liverpool again to raise awareness of the condition and how to live well with it. The Heart Health Check can offer a lot of reassurance to people. Even if you have never had any symptoms, or any of the risk factors, come along and get checked for peace of mind.” The Director of Public Health at Liverpool City Council, Professor Matt Ashton, said: “The work of the Pumping Marvellous Foundation shows that you can live well with heart failure, and are more likely to do so if you get symptoms checked sooner rather than later.”
People interested in finding out more about heart disease or who wish to live well with heart failure should visit the NHS Heart Failure website or The Pumping Marvellous Foundation’s website, respectively, for more information
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