Take time out of your busy day and make a Donation to an amazing cause. Shed some light on Heart Awareness
Take time out of your busy day and make a Donation to an amazing cause. Shed some light on Heart Awareness
Heart failure affects approximately 500,000 Australians, with around 67,000 new diagnoses each year.¹
Despite its prevalence, many Australians remain unaware of the signs and symptoms, or the important role that other health conditions can play in heart failure risk and progression.
Heart failure rarely exists in isolation. Many people living with heart failure are also managing other health conditions such as kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and mental health conditions.² Understanding these connections can help people seek support earlier, improve management, and achieve better health outcomes.
Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped working. Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood effectively enough to meet the body’s needs.³
It is a serious and progressive condition that can affect a person’s quality of life and lead to frequent hospitalisations if left unmanaged.
Heart failure affects around half a million Australians and results in approximately 158,000 hospital admissions every year.
Many people are surprised to learn that heart failure is closely linked to other chronic health conditions. These are often referred to as connected conditions because they frequently occur together and can influence one another.²
Common connected conditions include:
When one condition worsens, others can often follow, making management more complex and increasing the risk of poor health outcomes.²
Kidney disease is one of the most common, serious and under-recognised connected conditions associated with heart failure.² Nearly half of people living with heart failure are also living with chronic kidney disease.4
The heart and kidneys work closely together to keep the body functioning properly. When one organ is affected, it can place additional strain on the other.4
Because kidney disease can develop silently over time, many people may not realise they are living with it until it has progressed.
Living with heart failure can affect every aspect of daily life, particularly when other health conditions are involved. Watch Adam’s story to learn about his experience living with heart failure and kidney disease.
Heart failure symptoms can develop gradually or appear suddenly.5 They are often mistaken for other health conditions, which can delay diagnosis and treatment.
Common symptoms may include:5
Recognising symptoms early and speaking with a healthcare professional can help people access appropriate care sooner and improve long-term outcomes.²
Keeping track of symptoms can help you better understand changes in your health and support conversations with your healthcare team.
If you are experiencing symptoms of heart failure, or are living with kidney disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, speak with your GP or healthcare professional.
Early detection and proactive management can help improve outcomes and quality of life.
✔ Learn the signs and symptoms of heart failure
✔ Understand how connected conditions can affect heart health
✔ Ask your healthcare professional about heart and kidney health checks
✔ Download the Heart Failure Symptom Tracker
✔ Share this information with family and friends
Heart Failure Awareness Week is a Hearts4heart initiative that aims to improve understanding of heart failure, promote early detection, and support Australians living with heart failure and connected conditions.
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