We often hear about heart attacks and heart disease. But how much do you know about heart failure?

Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart fails to pump enough blood through the body, causing significant stress to other organs. Unlike other heart illnesses, this one is on the rise.

How common is it?

About 5.1 million people in the United States have heart failure with about 400,000 people a year developing this condition.

Who develops it?

• Anyone can develop heart failure, but it is much more common among older people.
• Men develop heart failure more often than women.
• African Americans are more likely to develop heart failure than people of other races.
• People who are overweight and those with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk to develop heart failure.

How does it develop?

• Heart failure is not a sudden event like a heart attack.
• Heart failure develops over time as a result of heart damage from sudden events such as a heart attack or gradually as a result of damage caused by chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

How bad is it?

• Heart failure can start out mild with little impact on activities. This stage is often mistaken for the normal aging process.
• Over time as the heart weakens, heart failure can worsen, causing people to feel more tired than usual or become short of breath during routine daily activities.
• In cases of severe heart failure, daily activities may be severely limited.

Can it be prevented?

• You can prevent or delay heart failure with a healthy lifestyle.
• A healthy diet is critical for reducing your risk of developing heart failure.
• If you smoke, it is important to quit.
• Avoiding alcohol is a good idea.
• Losing excess weight and exercising regularly are essential for protecting your heart health.
• Controlling chronic health conditions that raise your risk of heart failure—including heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes—is essential.

Can it be treated?

• Heart failure is treatable.
• There are several medications (often used in combination) and devices available to treat heart failure.
• Some of these medications help manage symptoms of heart failure, while others treat the health issues that weaken the heart.
• Lifestyle changes such as healthy eating, following a low salt diet, regular physical activity and taking medications as directed are all part of a heart failure treatment plan.
• See your doctor regularly and follow the treatment plan laid out for you.