February is Heart Health month in the UK, and Liverpool will welcome the Pumping Marvellous Foundation to the city for a Heart Health Event in Williamson Square on Thursday 15 February.
Heart failure is one of the group of conditions under the umbrella of “heart disease”, which is highlighted in the State of Health in the City 2040 report as a major cause of death and disability in Liverpool, with increases expected over the next 16 years. NHS Cheshire and Merseyside estimate that there are currently around 6500 people in the area with undiagnosed heart failure.
Heart Failure means that the heart is unable to pump blood around the body properly and that it needs some support to help it work better. Finding people with unexpected heart failure earlier is better, because they can start treatment sooner and help them live longer, fuller lives with the condition.
Pumping Marvellous Foundation are the UKs largest Heart Failure charity, offering support to help people live well with the condition.
At the Heart Health Event, The Pumping Marvellous Foundation will be promoting their nationwide campaign using the BEAT acronym to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms to look out for to help with early diagnosis of heart failure:
Breathlessness
Exhaustion
Ankle Swelling
Time to Test
The Pumping Marvellous Foundation will be supported by Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Heart Failure Team and Central Liverpool Primary Care Network to offer heart health checks at the event, including blood pressure and pulse checks, and a test to identify heart failure
Some people also experience other symptoms, such as a persistent cough, a fast heart rate and dizziness. On the other hand, some women can experience these symptoms during menopause and may be feeling worried. High blood pressure, diabetes and previous heart attacks are risk factors for heart failure, as well as being over 40, overweight or regularly drinking too much alcohol.
Nick Hartshorne-Evans, Founder and CEO 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.”
Cllr Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said: “We are really concerned about the health projections for the city.
“Heart Health Awareness month is an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of the BEAT Heart Failure message and I would encourage residents to come along for a Heart Health Check.”
Liverpool City Council’s Director of Public Health, Professor Matt Ashton said: “Our recent State of Health in the City 2040 report highlighted that we are expecting large increases in numbers of people experiencing cardiovascular diseases among those aged over 40, and this includes heart failure.
“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.”
For more information about the condition, please visit the NHS Heart Failure webpage and follow the link to The Pumping Marvellous Foundation webpage to find out about their work and living well with the condition.
