4 warning signs of heart failure

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Extract from the article: Heart failure affects thousands of Togolese. However, it is under-diagnosed and the number of people suffering from this pathology can increase, hence the importance of knowing the 4 warning signs in relation to this pathology.

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Heart failure affects thousands of Togolese. However, it is under-diagnosed and the number of people suffering from this pathology can increase, hence the importance of knowing the 4 warning signs in relation to this pathology.

Heart failure occurs when the heart has difficulty ensuring sufficient blood flow to meet the needs of the various vital organs. In Togo, heart failure is responsible for the hospitalization of thousands of patients. According to a cross-sectional study carried out from January 2010 to January 2012 in the cardiology department at CHU Sylvanus Olympio in Lomé, heart failure accounts for 25.6% of hospital admissions. Hospital studies also show that hypertension is the cause of 59% of cases.

Who is affected?

There are three categories of patient: people over 70 at high cardiovascular risk, diabetics, hypertensives, and people aged between 50 and 70 who have had a myocardial infarction. There are also younger people with genetic or viral heart disease.

Warning signs

Specialists provide information on the four warning signs.Although these symptoms are not very specific on their own, their combination and recent occurrence may suggest heart failure. These are: shortness of breath on exertion and/or when lying down, significant weight gain over a few days, edema of the lower limbs with swollen legs and feet, and severe fatigue, even with minor exertion, leading to a drop in activity and worsening muscle loss.

A doctor should be consulted immediately.If heart failure is diagnosed, the doctor will suggest a course of medication to slow its progression, as well as appropriate physical exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming and dancing, daily weighing, good compliance with treatment and a maximum consumption of 4 to 6 g of salt per day.

Elom AKAKPO