WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY, 2016

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: 11AM, FRIDAY, 6 MAY, CONCOURSE, NINEWELLS HOSPITAL, DUNDEE

Be Heart Failure Aware

Visitors to Ninewells Hospital on Friday, 6 May are being invited to think about their heart and be heart failure aware.

NHS Tayside’s Heart Failure Nurse Liaison Service and colleagues from the cardiology department will host an information stand between 11am and 4pm on the concourse at Ninewells to raise awareness amongst the general public about heart failure.

Heart failure is not a heart attack and it is not a cardiac arrest. It is caused by the inability of the heart muscle to pump a normal amount of oxygen-rich blood around the body. This life-limiting condition can have a huge impact on patients’ everyday lives and currently affects 50,000 people in Scotland. It is the leading cause of hospital admissions in the over-65s.

It can affect anyone, of any age group and it is essential that individuals are diagnosed and treated as early as possible. The common symptoms of heart failure are a combination of breathlessness, swollen ankles or legs, and unusual levels of tiredness.

Visitors, staff and patients are invited to visit the information stand on the concourse where they will be able to speak with nurses from the heart failure liaison service, cardiology consultants and physiotherapy staff to find out more about the condition, the symptoms associated with heart failure and its management.

They will also be provided with resources and information to help improve their understanding of the condition including patient and carer booklets, telephone helplines, online resources and support groups.

NHS Tayside’s Heart Failure Specialist Nurse, Jill Nicholls, said, “Heart failure is one of the top two causes of unscheduled readmissions across the UK. By raising awareness today, the aim is for this condition to be identified earlier with rapid diagnosis leading to improved management and support being put in place.

“It is hoped that by highlighting this condition, members of the public will be more aware of the symptoms associated with heart failure and have increased confidence to go to their GP.

“Our key aim is also to provide support and information for family members and for those people who are carers, as it is crucial for those with heart failure that they are supported as this aides improved self-management of the condition.”

Contact:

Anna Michie

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138