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" Public ignorance to the risks of heart failure is putting lives at risk, new research suggests.  The survey of nearly 8,000 people across nine European countries showed that while almost 90 per cent of had heard of heart failure, just 3 per cent could identify the condition from a description of typical symptoms - such as breathlessness, tiredness and swollen ankles.  The research by shape SHAPE (Study of Heart failure Awareness and Perception in Europe), also found worrying misconceptions about heart failure.  Lead researcher Professor Willem Remme, of the Sticares Cardiovascular Research Institute in the Netherlands, said: &amp;quot;The low awareness of heart failure that we found is shocking and is putting lives at risk.&amp;quot;  Over two-thirds mistakenly thought heart failure patients live longer than patients with cancer and HIV when in fact, 40 per cent of heart failure patients die within a year of their first admission to hospital.  A third also wrongly thought heart failure was a normal consequence of getting older and nearly a third thought modern drugs could not prevent the condition.  Drugs such as ACE inhibitors and beta blockers can be very effective.  Professor Remme added: &amp;quot;Ignorance of the symptoms and of what can be done to prevent and treat the condition could contribute to unnecessarily poor quality of life in tens of thousands of patients and thousands of premature deaths, and is placing a heavy burden on health systems.&amp;quot;  The researchers taking part in the SHAPE project now plan to launch an education programme aimed at doctors and the public to save lives and improve healthcare.  \u00A9 Adfero Ltd "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/news/a12661/ignorance-of-heart-failure-putting-lives-at-risk/>