Heart Failure Awareness Week: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about Heart Failure Awareness Week (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. Heart Failure Awareness Week is observed on February 6th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of Heart Failure Awareness Week, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as captivating facts you need know about Heart Failure Awareness Week.

📅 What day is Heart Failure Awareness Week 2024?

In 2024, Heart Failure Awareness Week is on Monday, February 6th. It is the 1st Monday in February; in 2024, it is Tuesday. There are until the next observance. You also can explore all the exciting details and facts about February 6, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

Heart Failure Awareness Week is an annual event that takes place in the second week of February. This year, it runs from February 6 to 12. The purpose of this week is to raise awareness about heart failure, a condition that affects many people. It’s interesting to note that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. That’s why various health organizations in the country are using this week to educate the public about the factors that contribute to heart failure, ways to prevent it, the available treatment options, and other important tips for managing the condition.

📜 Heart Failure Awareness Week History

Heart failure is a dangerous condition where the heart is unable to efficiently pump blood, leading to insufficient blood flow at the right pressure throughout the body. This typically occurs when the heart muscle becomes too tight or weak to function properly. In the United States, there are about 200,000 reported cases of congestive heart failure each year, making it one of the most common diagnoses for hospitalized patients aged 65 and over. Globally, over 23 million people have been diagnosed with heart failure. Common symptoms include rapid heartbeats, shortness of breath, constant fatigue, swelling in the hands and/or feet, chest discomfort, chronic cough with blood, and loss of appetite. These symptoms appear more quickly in acute heart failure, while they develop gradually in chronic heart failure. Although these numbers may seem alarming, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that by reducing risk factors, 80% of cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, can be prevented. Risk factors include alcohol and tobacco use, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea. On a positive note, new medications have recently been developed to treat individuals with heart failure.

✅ Heart Failure Awareness Week Facts

🔖 It’s so “bloody” in there
The heart is able to circulate more than 1.5 gallons of blood every minute, which amounts to a remarkable 2,000 gallons per day.

🔖 Heartbeats per day
Every day, your heart will experience approximately 115,000 beats.

🔖 Heart attacks on Christmas Day
Each year, the highest number of heart attacks occur on Christmas Day, with the second highest occurring on the day after Christmas and New Year’s Day.

👍 Why Is Heart Failure Awareness Week Important

The statistics on cardiac failure are pretty frightening. Congestive heart failure (C.H.F.) affects around five million Americans today, with an estimated 550,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the United States. C.H.F. affects people of all ages, including children, young adults, the middle-aged, and the elderly, and it is responsible for around 287,000 fatalities each year. This is why the Heart Failure Society of America continues to educate the public about heart failure throughout this week.

Over the years, private groups and health-care stakeholders have worked with HFS to raise awareness of heart failure. They also suggest techniques to live longer with the illness, as well as frequent examinations and sharing advancements in heart failure therapy and diagnostics.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle and decreasing risk factors can help manage and prevent heart failure. The risk of heart failure can be reduced and managed through a nutritious diet, an active lifestyle, and frequent medical exams. Those who have already been diagnosed with heart failure may seek expert guidance on how to manage the disease during this week, while others can learn preventive steps to avoid the condition.

🙂 How To Observe Heart Failure Awareness Week

⚡ Join the campaign on social media
If your local clinic is organizing a special heart health awareness campaign for a week, you can join in by participating in the event. Additionally, you have the option to get involved in the social media campaign by using the hashtag #HFWeek.

⚡ Adopt a healthier lifestyle
Being obese, misusing cigarettes and alcohol, and having high blood pressure can increase the chances of developing heart failure or worsening the condition. Therefore, it is recommended to quit smoking, follow a healthy diet, engage in regular physical activity, maintain a proper weight, control cholesterol and blood pressure levels, and effectively manage stress.

⚡ Visit the clinic
If you have recently received a heart failure diagnosis, it is essential to schedule an appointment with your cardiologist as soon as possible. By consulting with your doctor, you can receive expert guidance on effectively managing the condition and improving your lifespan.

📅 When is Heart Failure Awareness Week?

See all 🔗 February holidays, including 🔗 Health and other 🔗 American holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and must-know facts about Heart Failure Awareness Week. So be sure to check back soon.