Heart Failure

By: Robert Nam

Total Views: 320, Word Count: 912,

 Heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot pump the required amount of blood through out the body system. Heart failure does not mean that your heart has stopped working or is about to stop. It only means that your heart is not able to pump efficiently the way it should. This weakening of the heart pumping ability causes many effects on the different body parts such as-

 

• Blood and fluids gets accumulated into the lungs
• Fluid also gets build up in the feet, legs and ankles which is called as edema
• Shortness of breath and tiredness

The leading causes of the heart failure are diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol level, and coronary artery disease. Heart failure is a very serious condition through which about 5 million people are suffering in the U.S. It also contributes to about 3, 00,000 deaths each year. Heart failure is also known as congestive heart failure (CHF).

Causes of Heart Failure

There are many different causes for heart failure. In some of the cases, the exact causes for the failure of heart cannot be found. The most common causes of heart failure are mentioned below.

• Coronary artery disease (when the blood supply to the heart is blocked i.e. completely or partially)
• Cardiomyopathy ( problems with the heart muscles
• Hypertension(High blood pressure)
• Heart valves problems
• Arrhythmias (Abnormal heart rhythms
• Excessive use of alcohol or drugs
• Congenital heart disease( a heart problem or defect from the birth)
• Diabetes
• Myocarditis
• Thyroid problems 

Symptoms of Heart Failure

Some people who experience heart failure may have a few symptoms. Below mentioned is the list of symptoms related to heart failure which might experience by the heart disease patient

·         Shortness of breath

·         Shortness of breath while lying down

·         Lack of appetite

·         Waking up in the night due to sudden breathlessness

·         Tiredness or weakness

·         Reduced ability to exercise

·         Swelling of the legs, ankles and feets

·         Swelling of the abdomen

·         Irregular heart beat

·         Chronic cough or wheezing

·         Nausea

·         Weight gain

Risk Factors for Heart Failure

Often, a single risk factor is enough to cause a heart failure but the combination of factors increases the chances of heart failure. The risk factors include.

• High blood pressure
• Coronary heart disease
• Heart attack
• Sleep Apnea
• Congenital heart defects
• Kidney conditions
• Alcohol use
• Viruses

Diagnosis Test for Heart Failure

Firstly, your doctor will ask you about your medical history and symptoms. Depending on the physical exam, your doctor may order you to perform some tests such as.

• Urine tests
• Chest X-ray
• Blood tests
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Echocardiogram

Treatments for Heart Failure

Heart failure is a disease, which requires a life long management. However, with an effective treatment, a failing heart can become stronger and the sign and symptoms of a heart failure can fade away. In many cases, the treatment for the heart failure involves a balance of the right medication and devices.

Medications

Usually, doctors treat heart failures with a combination of medications depending on the symptoms. Several types of drugs have proved to be useful for the treatment of the heart failure. They include drugs like angiotensin- converting enzyme inhibitors, Angioensin II receptor blockers, Digoxin, beta-blockers, Diuretics, and aldosterone antagonists.

Surgery and Medical Devices

In some of the cases, doctor may also recommend for surgery to treat the problem of heat failure. Some of the treatment which are been used as an effective treatment for the heart failure are.

• Implantable cardioverter defibrillators
• Cardiac resynchronization therapy
• Heart pump
• Ventricular restoration surgery
• Cardiac wrap surgery

Prevention of Heart Failure

Heart failure can be eliminated by preventing the risk factors. For preventing the above risk factors, it is very necessary to make changes in the present life style to relive from the symptoms of heart failure. Making a little change would be very helpful and beneficial to avoid a heart failure. It includes.

• Stop smoking
• Control your weight
• Eat a healthy heart diet
• Restrict on the use of sodium in diet
• Limit the fats and cholesterol level in diet
• Limit the alcohol
• Do regular exercise
• Manage the stress level

Be honest while following the recommendations made by your doctor like change in lifestyle, medication, and diet. Follow the strategies been asked by your doctor in order to prevent the heart failure.

About the Author

 Dr. Robert Nam is a well known heart specialist and has done postgraduate training in cardiology at the national heart hospital, the London chest hospital and UCL hospital, London. He was also engaged in research at the national heart and lung institute. Nowadays he is working as a consultant cardiologist at UCL hospital, London.

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