Opinion
Text of Elisabete Martins, cardiologist. A heart failure is a chronic syndrome in which the heart can no longer pump blood effectively to the rest of the body. This does not mean that the heart “stops”, but rather that it works with difficulty, compromising the functioning of vital organs and quality of life. It is a common condition, especially in older ages, and represents an important public health problem.
Recognizing the warning signs is essential. The most common symptoms include shortness of breath (especially with exertion or when lying down), easily tired, swelling of the legs or ankles and rapid weight gain due to fluid retention. These signs are often devalued or attributed to aging, which can delay diagnosis. However, Identifying the disease early allows appropriate treatment to be initiated and improves the prognosis.
The causes of heart failure are variedbut they are often related to cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction, high blood pressure and heart valve diseases. Nowadays, there is an increasingly evident relationship with risk factors associated with the modern lifestyle, such as obesity and diabetes. These factors contribute significantly to the development of heart failure and its progression.
Heart failure is also one of the main causes of hospitalization. In 2023, there were, on average, around 232 hospitalizations per 100,000 inhabitants in the European Union related to this condition, reflecting the significant impact of the disease on health systems.
National studies, such as the study have been highlighting the growing burden of heart failure in the Brazilian populationespecially in older age groups, and the need for improve prevention, early diagnosis and organization of care.
The good news is that, in many cases, the Heart failure can be prevented or its onset can be delayed. Controlling risk factors is essential: maintaining a healthy weight, adopt a balanced diet, practice regular physical activity, control blood pressure and diabetes and avoid tobacco are essential measures.
On this European Heart Failure Day, the message is clear: Recognizing the signs and risk factors today allows you to protect tomorrow. Informing, preventing and acting in a timely manner can make all the difference in the lives of thousands of people.
Article authored by Elisabete Martins, cardiologist at ULS – São João and professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto
Heart failure in the Portuguese population aged ≥50 years: prevalence and phenotypes in the PORTHOS study. Eur Heart J. 2026 Feb 5:ehag030. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehag030.
