Awareness activities in Brazil about Heart Failure
Heart Failure: Raising Awareness and Promoting Heart Health
Heart failure (HF), often referred to as a “weak heart,” is one of the leading causes of hospitalization in Brazil. It mainly affects people over the age of 65, who account for approximately 80% of all cases. To help provide reliable, patient-friendly information about this condition, the Instituto Lado a Lado pela Vida continues to promote heart failure awareness through its official communication channels. Here are some of the Instituto’s current initiatives.
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What is Heart Failure?
Heart failure occurs when the heart can no longer pump blood efficiently enough to meet the body’s needs. There are two main types:
- Systolic heart failure, in which the heart cannot pump blood effectively.
- Diastolic heart failure, in which the heart muscle becomes stiff and does not fill with blood properly.
In Brazil, the most common cause of heart failure is coronary artery disease, a condition in which the arteries supplying oxygen-rich blood to the heart become narrowed.
Learn more on the official website: ladoaladopelavida.org.br — Insuficiência Cardíaca
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Campanha Siga Seu Coração (Follow Your Heart Campaig)
Since 2014, the Instituto Lado a Lado pela Vida has led the nationwide Follow Your Heart campaign (Siga Seu Coração), created to raise awareness about cardiovascular health, highlight the main risk factors for heart disease, and encourage early diagnosis.
Over the years, the campaign has reached thousands of people and has become one of the Institute’s leading platforms for sharing information about heart failure.
Campaign page: ladoaladopelavida.org.br — Siga Seu Coração
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Heart Failure Awareness Across the Instituto Lado a Lado pela Vida communicatins channels
The organisation shares information about heart failure through its official communication channels:
- Official website: ladoaladopelavida.org.br
- Instagram: @instituto.ladoaladopelavida
- Facebook: Instituto Lado a Lado pela Vida
- YouTube (Lado a Lado TV): @LadoaLadoTV
Through these platforms, the Instituto Lado a Lado pela Vida provides educational resources, patient stories, and practical information for patients, family members, and caregivers about heart failure prevention, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
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Podcast: #LadoaLadoCast Discusses HF
The Instituto Lado a Lado pela Vida also addresses heart health through its podcast series.
In the episode “Cardiovascular Diseases: Prevention and Risk Factors” (#LadoaLadoCast), cardiologist Dr. Nara Kobbaz discusses cardiovascular disease prevention, major risk factors, and ways to protect heart health, with special attention to heart failure.
Watch on YouTube: Cardiovascular Diseases: Prevention and Risk Factors – #LadoaLadoCast
Assista no YouTube: Doenças cardiovasculares: prevenção e fatores de risco — #LadoaLadoCast
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In the News: Heart Failure Symtoms You Should Never Ignore
July 9 – National Heart Failure Awareness Day
Heart Failure Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
The Instituto Lado a Lado pela Vida reminds their followers (patients, caregivers, HCPs and general public) that some signs and symptoms of heart failure are often overlooked and encourages everyone to seek medical care if they experience them.
Read the full article on the official website:
ladoaladopelavida.org.br — Insuficiência cardíaca: os sintomas que não devem ser ignorados
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How You Can Help Spread Awareness
Share the Siga Seu Coração campaign page with your personal and professional networks.
Share the Organisation’s heart failure posts on Instagram and Facebook.
Recommend the Lado a Lado Cast episode to patients, family members, and caregivers.
