Congestive heart failure: the silent killer

Congestive heart failure is a deadly disease that should not be ignored.

I am sad to say people are not taking it as serious as they should. Many people that suffer from this disease are usually hospitalized more than once because they still fail to change their habits. Sadly, I can relate to this because I recently had two aunts die of congestive heart failure, and they were both hospitalized twice before dying of this disease.

According to information on http://www.USnews.com, 75 percent out of 5 million people will either be affected by congestive heart failure or know someone who will die or undergo hospitalization due to this disease.

"Congestive heart failure is a rapid and silent killer," said Dr. Karen Miller on http://www.Medicine.com, and there is a 30 percent increase in deaths caused by congestive heart failure since January 2006. The problem is not a lack of education about this disease; it is the lack of concern. Diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease are the leading causes of congestive heart failure.

In some cases Congestive heart failure is hereditary. Many of those who have hereditary heart disease jab themselves with a double-edged sword when they adopt unhealthy eating and exercising habits, which increase risks of congestive heart failure.

The information found on http://www.USNews.com said those who are more likely to get congestive heart failure are blacks, Latinos, and American Indians 65 years-old and older.

The scary thing is everyone is a target for congestive heart failure. College students should be concerned because the age groups of those affected continuously get younger. According to recent statistical information gathered from http://www.medicine.com, the age group of those affected dropped to the range of 37-54, which is a scary but drastic change from age 65 and older. The gender of those affected by congestive heart failure is usually women by 62 percent and men by 38 percent.

Symptoms of this disease such as breathlessness and fluid build up around organs should not go on ignored. I am not a doctor, but I can advise others to not ignore these symptoms. Congestive heart failure is a very complex disease but with small but yet vital steps, can be prevented. Congestive heart failure is a very common disease, and if not controlled or prevented, it can be fatal.

This is a column of opinion by Amber Williams. Responses to this column can be made through the Printz Editorial Board at printz@usm.edu.