Heart failure is a serious medical condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood around the body properly. It usually happens because the heart has become too weak or stiff. Heart failure is also known as congestive heart failure, although this name is not widely used now. Heart failure does not mean your heart has stopped working. It indicates that it needs some assistance or support to help it work better. Although heart failure can happen at any age, elderly adults experience it more frequently. Heart failure is a long-term condition that gradually becomes worse over time. In general, it can not be cured, but the symptoms can often be controlled for many years.
What Is Heart Failure?
Heart failure is a lifelong condition in which the heart muscle can not pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs for blood and oxygen. Basically, the heart can’t keep up with its workload.What Are The Causes Of Heart Failure?
Heart failure usually arises from multiple heart-related problems that occur concurrently. The following are the conditions which can lead to heart failure (etiology for heart failure):- Coronary artery disease: The blood vessels which supply the heart become narrowed or restricted due to the build-up of fatty substances (atherosclerosis). This condition in turn causes angina or heart attack.
- High blood pressure: An increase in blood pressure puts extra stress on the heart which may lead to heart failure.
- Cardiomyopathy: It is a condition which affects the heart muscles. Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythm) and atrial fibrillation.
- Damage to the heart valves or conditions that affect heart valves.
- Congenital heart disease: Heart defects occurring before or during birth that affect the normal functioning of the heart.
- Obesity
- Anemia
- Excess alcohol consumption
- Thyroid diseases like overactive thyroid and underactive thyroid
- Pulmonary hypertension (increased blood pressure in the lungs) Emphysema
- Amyloidosis
- Sarcoidosis
- Too much iron in the body
- Diabetes
- HIV infections
- Excess protein buildup in the body
- Allergic reaction
- Any disease that affects the whole body
- Formation of blood clots inside the lungs
- Severe infections
- As a side effect of certain medicines
- Viruses which attack the heart
- Eating foods which contain high fat and cholesterol
- Smoking
- Lack of physical activity
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Pathophysiology Of Heart Failure:
Heart failure can cause organ congestion due to the heart's inability to pump enough blood to the tissues for their metabolic needs. It can also cause an increase in pulmonary or systemic venous pressure. Abnormalities in either or both of the diastolic or systolic functions might cause this illness. There are variations in collagen turnover of the extracellular matrix in addition to alterations in cardiomyocyte function, which may be the fundamental abnormality. Heart failure can also be brought on by cardiac anatomical defects (such as congenital malformations or valvular illnesses), rhythm abnormalities (such as an abnormally fast heart rate), and excessive metabolic demands (such as those brought on by thyrotoxicosis).What Are The Symptoms Of Heart Failure?
Symptoms of heart failure or congestive heart failure generally start very slowly. Initially, they may only occur when you are very active. Over time, you may experience breathing problems and other symptoms even when you are resting. Symptoms may also develop suddenly after the heart is damaged from a heart attack or other problems. The following are the common symptoms of heart failure:- Fatigue, weakness, and fainting
- Cough
- Loss of appetite
- Weight gain
- Increased urination at night
- Faster or irregular pulse
- Palpitation
- Difficulty to breath when you are active or lying down
- Enlarged or swollen abdomen or liver
- Swelling in the feet and ankles
- Difficulty to sleep continuously or getting up suddenly from sleep due to shortness of breath
- Nausea and bloating
- Protruding veins in the neck
- Confusions, impaired thinking or memory loss
How To Diagnose Heart Failure?
Your cardiologist will perform a physical examination after assessing your medical history to look for signs of heart failure. An echocardiography might also be used. It is the best approach for identifying heart failure. It uses sound waves to create detailed pictures of your heart. An echocardiogram can help a doctor to assess the damage to your heart and how it’s functioning. Other diagnostic tests include:- Chest X-Ray
- MRI of the heart
- Stress test
- Nuclear scan
- Cardiac catheterization
- Coronary angiogram
- BNP blood test
- Holter monitoring
How Is Heart Failure Treated?
Numerous therapies have been shown to enhance heart health, reduce symptoms, and increase patient survival. Additionally, treatments enhance quality of life by:- Taking care of any underlying issues
- Relieving the symptoms
- Enhancing general health
- Education and lifestyle choices
- Medications
- Devices
- Surgery
Education And Lifestyle Choices:
An essential component of treating heart failure is patient education. This includes:- Control high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels
- Maintain a heart-healthy diet
- Limit sodium intake
- Involve in moderate physical activities
- Check for alarming signs in your body such as sudden weight gain, swelling in the lower body etc.
- Get adequate sleep
- Quit smoking and drinking habits
- Maintain a healthy body weight
Medications For Heart Failure:
The following are the medications that help to treat heart failure and its underlying cause:- Aldosterone blockers
- Beta-blockers
- ACE inhibitors
- Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI)
- Sodium-glucose transport protein 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors
- Diuretics
- Vasodilators
- Antiarrhythmic drugs
- Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists
- Nitrates
- Blood thinners
- Medications to lower high cholesterol
- Hydralazine
- Ivabradine
- Verquvo
Surgery:
The various surgery options for heart failure include:- Bypass surgery: During bypass surgery, a portion of a healthy vein or artery is attached to the clogged coronary artery by the surgeon. This allows blood to circulate via the newly formed artery and avoid the damaged or clogged one.
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI): The clogged or narrowed artery is punctured using a catheter that has an inflatable balloon attached to it. A surgeon opens the artery by inflating the balloon once it reaches the injured artery.
- Transplantation surgery: When all other options for treating heart failure have failed, heart transplants may be considered. Your heart is removed whole or in part, and a donor's heart is used in its place.
Devices:
You may require surgery for the insertion of devices into your heart. These devices help to monitor your heart rhythms. The following are the commonly inserted devices into the heart:- Pacemakers: These tiny devices are inserted into the chest to assist with heart rhythm regulation. If your heart beats too slowly, it may raise it, and if it is beating too quickly, it may decrease it.
- Left ventricular assist device (LVAD): It facilitates the left ventricle's ability to pump blood out to the rest of your body.
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD): This battery-operated gadget monitors your heart rate. If it notices something unusual about your cardiac beat, it shocks it. The heart rate returns to normal as a result.
What Are The Complications of Heart Failure?
The possible complications of heart failure include:- Arrhythmia
- Impaired liver or kidney functions
- Blood clots which may lead to stroke or pulmonary embolism
- Muscle wasting
- Pulmonary edema
- Respiratory distress
How To Prevent Heart Failure?
Certain lifestyle modifications can aid in the treatment of heart failure as well as its prevention. These include:- Cessation of smoking and alcohol consumption
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
- Involve in regular physical activities
- Get adequate sleep
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Reduce and manage stress, you can do meditations
- Take medicines regularly
Conclusion:
Heart failure occurs when your heart is not able to pump enough blood throughout your body. It’s typically a chronic condition that often needs ongoing treatment to prevent complications and improve your quality of life. Heart failure is also known as congestive heart failure. Depending on the type of heart failure you have, your prognosis and course of treatment will differ. To avoid the most severe types of heart failure, early treatment is essential. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of heart failure, consult a cardiac surgeon at Asian Heart Institute.FAQs
Q: What are the signs of heart failure?A: The signs and symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath, tiredness, fatigue, loss of consciousness, swelling in the lower part of the body, wheezing, persistent cough, irregular heartbeat, inability to carry out physical activities etc,
Q: Is it possible to recover from heart failure?
A: Medication and lifestyle modifications are common components of treatment. Treating the underlying medical problem may help to reverse heart failure if it is the cause of the failing heart. Surgery may be necessary for some heart failure patients to clear clogged arteries or implant a device that will improve heart function.
