Heart failure (HF) is a complex syndrome (a set of signs and symptoms characteristic of a disease) and often chronic syndrome. According to the PORTHOS study¹, it is estimated that, in mainland Portugal, 1 in 6 adults aged 50 or over has HF, and 90% of people with HF are unaware that they have the condition.

HF occurs due to an alteration in the structure or function of the heart that leads to increased pressure inside it and/or affects its ability to pump blood.

At the Heart Failure Consultation – Internal Medicine, your doctor specializing in Internal Medicine has the following objectives:

• diagnose HF and classify it
• prescribe the most appropriate treatments
• prevent decompensation
• improve survival and quality of life
• support the person with HF in managing other chronic diseases that are often
  associated with it
• increase health literacy in HF and its comorbidities.

[1] https://www.newsfarma.pt/noticias/13683-porthos-mostra-que-1-em-cada-6-portugueses-com-mais-de-50-anos-vive-com-ic.html – accessed on 24-09-2024