Symptoms ofleft-sided heart failurecan include chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, and leg swelling.
They can be similar to other medical conditions and, early on, even go unnoticed.
This article discusses the two types of left-sided heart failure, and what some of the symptoms are.
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It also looks at the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of this common heart condition.
The right ventricle sends blood to the lungs, where it picks up oxygen.
The larger and more powerful left ventricle pumps the oxygen-rich blood to the body.
Certain medical conditions make it so your heart has to work harder to pump blood.
This is called heart failure.
Reduced function of the left ventricle is the most common cause of heart failure.
As the heart weakens, fluid backs up into the lungs and around the heart.
When this happens, your symptoms may get worse and prompt you to seek medical care.
Older adults and people with obesity may have atypical symptoms of heart failure.
Any sign of chest discomfort or a rapid decline in health should always be treated as a medical emergency.
With the right care, you’re free to learn to manage your symptoms.
If undiagnosed and untreated, however, left-sided heart failure can cause complications.
Your healthcare provider will also do a physical examination and order lab work.
Anechocardiogramwill help your healthcare provider assess the structure and function of your left ventricle.
The ejection fraction is a measurement of how much blood is pumped out of your heart with each beat.
Exercise tests can also help your healthcare provider diagnose your condition.
This is usually seen on an echocardiogram.
With HFrEF, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is equal to or less than 40%.
If your echocardiography is inconclusive, your healthcare provider might order more tests.
It can’t be cured, but it can be managed.
In most people, heart failure is a chronic condition that requires lifelong treatment.
Most treatments are geared toward slowing the progression of heart failure and managing symptoms.
Treatment of left-sided heart failure depends on the punch in of heart failure.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing the condition.
The treatment should take the whole person into account, not just the heart.
A sound treatment plan usually starts with controlling your blood pressure and relieving fluid overload.
Fluid overload can cause swelling or shortness of breath.
Your healthcare provider will also address the anticipated mental, emotional, and physical changes that you might experience.
Treating the root cause of a patients heart failure is the key to slowing heart disease.
Too much salt in your diet can cause fluid retention.
This will counteract the drugs (diuretics) that help relieve fluid accumulation.
Two medications, Entresto and SGLT2 inhibitors, have shown benefit in FHpEF.
SGLT2 inhibitor medications are antidiabetic drugs that may be used to treat HFpEF in people with or without diabetes.
In people with heart failure, taking this medication can help prevent heart failure episodes.
Your doctor can determine whether you are able to use an SGLT2 inhibitor.
Diuretics and beta-blockers are commonly used to manage HF symptoms.
The use of diuretics like thiazides, and spironolactone have even been found to increase life expectancy.
The ACC/AHA also recommends starting or continuing a combined endurance and resistance training program for patients with HFpEF.
The goal is to improve exercise capacity, physical functioning, and diastolic function.
Exercise has been proven to help the heart work more efficiently.
For people in this group, the one-year mortality rates are as high as 25% among older patients.
For people over the age of 60, the five-year mortality rate is 24%.
For those over the age of 80, the five-year mortality rate is 54%.
In other words, the worse the left-sided heart failure, the worse the prognosis.
Despite advances in medical technology, treatment, and widespread heart health campaigns mortality rates have remained high.
These numbers have remained relatively consistent in recent decades.
If you are over 65 years old, you are at a particularly high risk of heart disease.
This underscores the need to start a heart-healthy life sooner rather than later.
Research has shown that older patients hospitalized with congestive heart failure face a grave prognosis.
All these reactions are natural.
Talking to friends and family can help you navigate these challenges.
The key is to make lifestyle changes that lessen the chances of havingheart failure exacerbations.
Limiting stress, quitting smoking, and exercising can benefit both your physical and mental health.
Talk to your healthcare provider about your options.
Both can cause symptoms like chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
Treatment for left sided heart failure includes lifestyle changes and medications.
There is no cure, but the condition can be managed.
A Word From Verywell
Learning that you have heart failure is scary.
Making many lifestyle changes in a short time can seem daunting.
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