Consumers concerned about high healthcare and insurance costs may wish to take advantage of the Heart Failure Awareness Week, scheduled to run through February 18.

This week is a chance for patients, families, doctors and others to educate themselves about the risks and contributing factors associated with heart failure, according to The Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA). Those who are not informed on the subject may mistake signs of heart failure for common results of aging.

The problem is common enough to affect about 5 million Americans, according to the HFSA, leading to healthcare expenses that are between $40 and $50 billion nationwide.

"Patients with chronic hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and obesity are at higher risk of developing heart failure, but aggressive treatment of these conditions can be effective in preventing the occurrence of heart failure," said HFSA president and chief of the ccardiology division at the San Francisco VAMC Barry Massie.

Virginia health insurance agents may find educational efforts help consumers understand the importance of having appropriate coverage, or re-evaluate their current policies to determine whether their coverage is sufficient.