A professional poker player is one of the most respected in the game. “tell”Unconsciously, a player gives others a hint that tips his hand. Your body may give tells. This is a small sign that your heart is not working correctly. It is important to be able to identify the signs and take corrective action.
“I didn’t really recognize it, and I blamed it a lot on menopause,”Rochelle Koznick, 50, was one of the featured patients in the documentary Boston Scientific produced in partnership with American Association of Heart Failure Nurses. “I’d wake up feeling very fatigued and would have a hard time exercising when I was on the treadmill.”
This documentary will educate the public on heart failure and its subtle warnings. Heart Failure Journeys, from Victim to Survivor: Heart Failure Journeys follows seven people as they journey through their own heart failure journeys.
Heart failure is a condition that affects the heart’s ability to pump enough blood throughout the body. It can occur when the heart is damaged by cardiovascular diseases such as coronary disease and diabetes. It can also be caused by obesity, high blood pressure, or genetics. You may feel tired, short of breath, congestion in your chest, swelling of the feet and legs and fatigue.
“Heart failure is quickly becoming an epidemic across the country. We are facing the aging baby boom generation, and heart failure is a phenomenon of older Americans,”Eric Ernst M.D. Heart failure specialist, Minnesota Heart Clinic
Although heart failure is more common among people older than 65, it can also affect people of all races and backgrounds.
Heart failure can be diagnosed and treated by physicians using a variety of tools. Lifestyle changes like losing weight and modifying your diet are some of the options.
People who know how to recognize these signs will be able to visit their doctor and learn more about their treatment options.
“Now, people say to me, ‘Oh my gosh, you look so much better.’ More importantly, I feel a ton better.” said Koznick.
You can order a DVD free of charge “From Victim to Survivor: Heart Failure Journeys,”Boston Scientific, 1-866-484-3264. Press “2”Talk to a representative from technical services. You can also access excerpts from the document at www.lifebeatonline.com.
