ReachHigher – Dr. med. Harald Schwacke gives lecture on “Heart Failure”

On May 2, 2022, an edition of the ReachHigher lecture series with Dr. med. Harald Schwacke took place at the UMFST-UMCH Campus in Hamburg. The Medical Director and Chief Physician of Internal Medicine/Cardiology at the Deaconess Foundation Hospital Speyer spoke on the topic of “The Various Faces of Heart Failure”.

As an introduction, Dr. Schwacke presented some key data and statistics on the subject of “Heart Failure” related to Germany. Among other points, he emphasized that a large proportion of the costs incurred by health insurers are attributable to patients with heart failure. He then went on to discuss the different types of heart failure and explained in detail the causes that can lead to them. He also presented various treatment methods and explained their success rates, such as the use of a cryoballoon in cases of atrial fibrillation – a method that has a high success rate. For illustrative purposes, he drew on data and images from real cases.

In conclusion, Dr. Schwacke emphasized that heart failure has many faces. He also emphasized the importance of differentiated diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, multiprofessional and interdisciplinary treatment methods as well as empathy in dealing with those affected and their relatives. After the lecture, the UMFST-UMCH students had the opportunity to ask individual questions. Among other subjects, a question about optimal prevention approaches was answered.

 

Galery: