Winfried Klausnitzer is Founder and Chair of Herzschwäche Deutschland e.V. (Heart Failure Germany).
I was diagnosed with heart failure around ten years ago. Unfortunately, before that point, my symptoms had been misdiagnosed for almost 15 years. After experiencing first-hand the barriers to diagnosis and care that people living with heart failure can face, I founded Herzschwäche Deutschland e.V. Our mission is to support patients and families affected by the condition, and widen awareness of heart failure. I believe low awareness was a major factor contributing to my own delayed diagnosis, so this is a topic we focus on. Sadly, heart failure was and still is hardly noticed in Germany.
My working day now as a volunteer doesn’t really differ from the working day during my professional life: mornings are spent in the office, focusing on organisation and responding to stakeholders; in the afternoon I often attend meetings. I also travel for advocacy events and conferences on heart failure.
In Germany, the medical care available for heart failure is very good. Despite this, though, early detection of the condition is still limited. To improve this, public and political awareness of heart failure must be significantly improved. This is critical for helping to detect symptoms earlier and make sure people are able to quickly access the care they need.
Herzschwäche Deutschland e.V. has been working with the Network since it began in 2015. We are proud to be a member, and particularly value the opportunity to connect and collaborate with other organisations and experts committed to improving heart failure outcomes around the world.
I want to see the HFPN continue its mission to secure the political prioritisation of heart failure across Europe and beyond.
To improve heart failure outcomes, we need to develop an even better understanding of the condition – its causes, diagnosis and treatment. We also need greater attention on heart failure, and awareness in political arenas to secure policy action.
[The fact that] heart failure is not an old man’s disease, and that you can live well with it if it’s treated in a timely manner.
I enjoy listening to music, DIY, travelling and seeing the world. But, most importantly, spending time with my granddaughter.
The Heart Failure Policy Network brings together experts who are united in their passion: to improve outcomes for people living with heart failure.
We share profiles of our members to showcase what led them to work in heart failure, and find out about changes they would like to see in prevention and care.
