Heart failure is when the heart does not effectively pump blood through the body.
This can cause a series of symptoms that includeswelling, weakness, and difficulty breathing.
Coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and high blood pressure most commonly cause it.
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This article will discuss the types of heart failure, its symptoms, and treatment.
It will also cover how heart failure is diagnosed and prevented.
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Types of Heart Failure
Heart failure is either chronic or acute.
Chronic heart failure develops slowly, whereas acute heart failure happens abruptly.
To understand heart failure, knowing blood moves through the heart is important.
It must work harder to get blood to all the organs and tissues.
It can result from left-sided heart failure or other conditions.
Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure(CHF) is an advanced stage of heart failure.
This causes fluid buildup within the lungs, tissues, organs, and many other places.
Heart Failure and COVID-19
When someone has COVID-19, it can worsen heart problems like heart failure.
The inflammation from COVID-19 can damage the heart, making it more difficult to pump blood through the body.
Heart Failure Symptoms
Each person will experienceheart failure symptomsdifferently.
The symptoms can suddenly come on or develop slowly over time.
Most people will have shortness of breath and swelling.
They can feel like their heart is skipping a beat or beating quickly.
The New York Heart Association (NYHA) uses a staging system of stages 1 through stages 4.
A person’s stage can move forward or backward, based on their symptoms.
What Causes Heart Failure?
People diagnosed with heart failure typically have or had another heart condition.
Having more than one condition can significantly increase the risk of developing heart failure.
Heart failure is diagnosedby using several diagnostic tools.
A healthcare provider will determine the best combination based on the patient’s needs.
The exam will include listening to the heart, lungs, and abdomen.
Abrain natriuretic peptide (BNP)blood test increases with heart failure.
Other blood tests may include electrolytes andcreatinine levels.
Echocardiogram
Anechocardiogram (or echo)is an ultrasound of the heart.
An average ejection fraction is 5070%.
An ejection fraction of 40% or lower is indicative of heart failure.
Each medication will treat a different symptom (when taken as prescribed).
An LVAD is implanted when the heart is weakened and cannot pump enough blood through the body.
It supports the heart by pumping blood through the body.
An LVAD is typically reserved for people who do not respond to other treatments.
A person can go home with an LVAD and have a high quality of life.
Heart Transplant
Aheart transplantis performed when someone has end-stage heart failure.
Can You Prevent Heart Failure?
The current treatment options can improvelife expectancyand quality of life.
It’s important to follow a healthcare provider’s guidance and take medications as prescribed.
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