Insuficiencia Cardíaca

What is heart failure?

Heart failure (cardiac insufficiency) is a condition characterised by the inability of the heart to meet the body's needs. This means that the organs do not receive the oxygen and nutrients they need, or that blood does not return to the heart normally, manifesting itself through various symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, or fluid accumulation in different parts of the body.

It is a condition that can arise as a result of various cardiovascular problems, ranging from the most common, such as coronary heart disease and high blood pressure, to more specific conditions such as heart valve disease or genetic disorders.

The result is a very common disease, with an estimated 15 million people in the European Union suffering from heart failure, which is the leading cause of hospitalisation in people over 65, although there is a daily increase in cases among younger patients.

Furthermore, in addition to its high incidence, it has a chronic and progressive course that causes serious health consequences and is accompanied by a significant loss of quality of life.

What makes a specialist consultation necessary?

The significant impact of this disease requires specialised monitoring to enable tailored treatment based on each person's characteristics and needs. It is important to note that appropriate pharmacological treatment, as well as the implantation of specific devices when required, have been shown to significantly improve both the symptoms and prognosis of this condition.

Heart Failure Unit

The Heart Failure Unit was created in response to this need. It consists of a specific programme that individualises the management and treatment of this disease, placing the patient at the centre of care. This unit, headed by Dr Pablo Sutelman, not only provides specialised medical and nursing care, but also employs a multidisciplinary approach, with access to specialist imaging doctors, arrhythmia teams and interventional cardiologists. This approach combines the use of drugs with self-care measures and lifestyle changes to treat symptoms and improve the course of the disease.

This Unit will provide individualised follow-up, both in person and through the use of different technologies, to support patients and their families in the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure. In addition, professionals will be able to offer patients the opportunity to participate in clinical trials of innovative treatments.