Under the pump: tackling heart failure

When Montrose resident John Crabtree had his first heart attack he thought he was just coming down with a virus.  Fortunately, his wife recognised the warning signs and called an ambulance.  Without such urgent care John may not have survived.

John is one of five patients from The Alfred who feature in a short video series that raises awareness of the signs and symptoms of heart failure, the importance of seeking medical attention and role of ongoing care and rehabilitation.

Close to one million Australians are affected by heart failure and the number is rising.

Mostly simply, heart failure is when your heart muscles become too weak to pump blood around the body properly.

People with heart failure feel tired and breathless and can have swollen legs, ankles or feet as fluid starts to build up in the body.  It can be brought on by a heart attack, but also can develop over time from high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease.

Watch doctors, nurses and GPs describe the issue, and listen to patients share their personal stories about living with the condition.

Watch the Under the Pump series online now at AlfredHealthTV.