- What is heart failure? Heart failure (HF) - sometimes
called "congestive heart failure" -develops when the heart
becomes weak and does not function properly. Heart Failure
is NOT a specific disease. It is a condition, or syndrome,
that that can be brought on by a variety of underlying diseases
or health problems.
- What are the symptoms? Many people do not have
symptoms, or do not recognize them as serious, especially
in the early stages of heart failure. Eventually, symptoms
develop such as swelling (edema), especially in the legs,
feet and ankles or in the abdomen; shortness of breath;
fatigue or general lack of energy; a rapid or irregular
heart rhythm; chronic cough or wheezing; and lack of appetite
or nausea.
- What causes heart failure? Heart failure may be
caused by a number of conditions that, over time, impair
the heart's normal function. Many of the physical changes
that occur in heart failure are caused by the body's attempt
to "make up" for the loss of normal heart function. The
heart may grow larger and/or pump faster, blood vessels
become narrower, and the flow of blood may be diverted to
the body's most vital organs, such as the brain and heart.
Over time, these adaptations cause more damage to the heart
and, if not diagnosed and treated in time, lead to the more
serious forms of heart failure.
- What are the risk factors? The most common risk
factors that lead to heart failure include damage from a
prior heart attack (myocardial infarction), coronary artery
disease (clogged blood vessels), high blood pressure, diseases
of the heart muscle or valves, and diabetes. In rare cases,
congenital heart defects (problems present since birth),
thyroid disease or certain types of anemia can cause heart
failure. Sometimes, there is no known cause.
- How can heart failure be controlled or prevented?
Regular physical examinations, especially for those at high
risk for heart failure, can diagnose the condition before
symptoms appear. Early diagnosis and treatment can stop
or reverse the progression of heart failure. Control of
risk factors such as coronary artery disease, high blood
pressure or diabetes, and living a "heart healthy" lifestyle
that includes regular exercise, a healthy diet low in sodium
(salt) and not smoking also are important.
- How is heart failure diagnosed? Usually, the condition
can be diagnosed with a physical examination, medical history,
blood tests and/or heart tests. Tests to measure the function
of the heart, or detect structural or heart rhythm abnormalities,
include chest x-ray, electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography,
treadmill stress testing and electrophysiology studies (EPS).
These tests can determine how severe the condition is and
help your doctor decide which treatments are best.
- How is heart failure treated? The treatment prescribed
for each individual depends on the type, cause, symptoms
and severity of heart failure. Usually, more than one therapy
is used. The treatment options are:
- Therapy for underlying diseases or other
factors that contribute to heart failure
- Lifestyle changes
- Exercise, including cardiac rehabilitation
programs
- Medications
- Implanted devices such as a pacemaker, hemodynamic
monitor or implantable cardioverter defibrillator
(ICD)
- Cardiac resynchronization therapy
- Surgery to reduce or control structural changes
in the heart or, in some patients with the most severe
form of heart failure, heart transplant may be an
option.
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