Heart failure affects millions of individuals and families worldwide, yet its impact often goes unnoticed until it directly affects someone we love. As Heart Failure Awareness Week 2025 begins, hosted by the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA), it’s time to shed light on this critical issue, empower patients and caregivers, and promote prevention and support strategies that can save lives.

Understanding Heart Failure: A Silent Epidemic

Heart failure isn’t just one condition but a spectrum of challenges where the heart struggles to pump blood effectively. Affecting 6.7 million Americans over the age of 20 alone¹, heart failure is a leading cause of hospitalization and a significant public health concern​​. Risk factors include hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and coronary artery disease, conditions prevalent across all demographics^​2. 

What makes heart failure particularly insidious is how its symptoms—such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and swelling—can be dismissed as signs of aging or other less serious ailments³. This delay in recognition often leads to advanced disease before intervention.

Why Should Heart Failure Matter to You?

Heart failure does not just impact the individual diagnosed. It places an emotional and logistical burden on caregivers and loved ones while straining healthcare systems. However, heart failure is not a death sentence. With advances in medicine and awareness, many individuals can lead fulfilling lives. This is why its important to focus on the heart’s function. 

Patient stories, collected by HFSA, highlight the importance of early intervention and education. In one such story, a survivor shared how recognizing swelling during travel led to their heart failure diagnosis, ultimately saving their life​⁴. Another patient underscored the value of personalized care and treatments in transforming their prognosis from bleak to hopeful⁵.

Join the Movement: Heart Failure Awareness Week 2025

Now, more than ever, raising awareness is essential. Join us in observing Heart Failure Awareness Week, taking place from February 9-15, 2025, as we underscore the importance of understanding risk factors, recognizing symptoms early, and advocating for better healthcare resources.

Ways to Raise Awareness:

#MyHFStory2025 - Help us raise awareness by telling your story - from diagnosis and medical interventions, all the way to how you manage your heart failure symptoms for a better quality of life.

Become a Promoter - Support Heart Failure Awareness Week and spread the word with help from our campaign toolkit - including curated content and graphics that are easily shareable across social media platforms and email.

Follow Us on Social Media - Follow HFSA on Facebook, Instagram, X, Bluesky, and YouTube. Share our posts to help us reach more people!

Together We Can Make a Difference

Heart failure awareness starts with understanding that it is not just a medical issue but a family and community concern. By recognizing the signs, sharing stories, and promoting resources, we can change the narrative from one of loss to one of hope.

This February, let’s stand united in raising awareness and making a lasting impact. Together, we can ensure no one feels alone in their heart failure journey. Visit hfsa.org/hfweek2025 to learn more and help us spread the word during Heart Failure Awareness Week 2025. 

References: 

1. Heart Failure Society of America HF Stats. (2024) https://hfstats.org  

2. Albert, N., Psotka, M., Masri, A. & West, L. (2024). Heart Failure Beat: The Importance of Knowing Your Risk for Related Conditions. Heart Failure Society of America. 

3. HFSA Patient Hub Heart Failure Facts and Information. Heart Failure Society of America. 

4.  Redeker, D. (2023). Patient Perspectives - Function Not Failure: Denise's Story. Heart Failure Society of America.

5. Thomas, S. (2023). Patient Perspectives - Challenges of Living with HF: Shamieka's Story. Heart Failure Society of America.