Heart Failure
Understanding Heart Failure
Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart’s ability to pump blood is weakened, leading to insufficient oxygen and nutrients being delivered to the body’s organs and tissues. It is a progressive condition that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life and increase the risk of complications.
Types and Causes
There are two main types of heart failure:
- Systolic Heart Failure: In systolic heart failure, the heart’s ability to contract and pump blood efficiently is impaired.
- Diastolic Heart Failure: Diastolic heart failure occurs when the heart muscle becomes stiff and rigid, impairing its ability to relax and fill with blood properly.
Heart failure can be caused by various factors, including coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, heart valve disorders, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, congenital heart defects, and other medical conditions that strain the heart muscle over time.
Symptoms and Complications
Symptoms of heart failure can include:
- Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity or when lying down
- Fatigue and weakness
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen (edema)
- Persistent coughing or wheezing
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Complications of heart failure can include kidney damage, liver damage, fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema), heart rhythm abnormalities (arrhythmias), and even sudden cardiac arrest if left untreated.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosing heart failure typically involves a combination of medical history review, physical examination, imaging tests such as echocardiography, electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG), and blood tests to assess heart function and rule out other potential causes of symptoms. Treatment aims to improve symptoms, slow disease progression, and reduce the risk of complications. Treatment options may include:
- Lifestyle modifications such as dietary changes, exercise, and weight management
- Medications to improve heart function, control blood pressure, manage fluid retention, and regulate heart rhythm
- Medical devices such as pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices
- Surgical procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or heart valve repair or replacement in select cases
