Heart Failure
Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure (CHF), is a chronic condition where the heart becomes too weak or stiff to pump blood effectively. This leads to fluid buildup in the lungs and other parts of the body, causing symptoms that can significantly impact daily life. While heart failure is a serious condition, early diagnosis, treatment, and lifestyle changes can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Causes & Risk Factors
Heart failure can develop due to conditions that weaken or overwork the heart. Common causes include high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart attacks, diabetes, obesity, and heart valve disease. Other contributing factors include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, chronic kidney disease, and untreated sleep apnea. A family history of heart disease may also increase the risk.
Signs & Symptoms
Symptoms of heart failure vary depending on its severity and whether the left or right side of the heart is affected. Common signs include:
- Shortness of breath, especially during activity or while lying down
- Fatigue and weakness
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, or abdomen (edema)
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Persistent coughing or wheezing, sometimes with pink, frothy mucus
- Difficulty concentrating or confusion
- Sudden weight gain due to fluid retention
Types of Heart Failure
Heart failure is classified based on how the heart's function is affected:
- Left-Sided Heart Failure: The most common type, where the heart struggles to pump blood to the rest of the body, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs.
- Right-Sided Heart Failure: Often caused by left-sided failure, this occurs when the heart cannot pump blood effectively to the lungs, causing swelling in the legs and abdomen.
- Systolic vs. Diastolic Heart Failure: Systolic heart failure happens when the heart muscle is too weak to pump properly, while diastolic heart failure occurs when the heart becomes too stiff to fill properly with blood.
Diagnosis & Testing
To diagnose heart failure, doctors perform a physical exam and may recommend tests such as:
- Echocardiogram (Echo): A key test that shows how well the heart is pumping.
- Electrocardiogram (EKG): Checks for irregular heart rhythms and past heart attacks.
- Chest X-ray: Detects fluid buildup in the lungs or an enlarged heart.
- Blood Tests: Measures levels of certain proteins that indicate heart stress or damage.
- Stress Testing & Cardiac MRI: Evaluates heart function under different conditions.
Treatment Options
While heart failure is a chronic condition, treatment can help manage symptoms and slow its progression.
- Medications: Common prescriptions include diuretics to reduce fluid buildup, beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors to ease heart strain, and blood thinners to prevent clots.
- Lifestyle Changes: A low-sodium diet, regular exercise, weight management, smoking cessation, and limiting alcohol intake can help improve heart function.
- Medical Devices: Pacemakers or implantable defibrillators (ICDs) may be recommended for certain patients to help regulate heart rhythm and function.
- Surgical Treatments: In severe cases, procedures such as coronary bypass surgery, heart valve repair, or even a heart transplant may be considered.
