Heart Failure - Manipal Hospital

Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, occurs when the heart becomes unable to pump blood due to certain conditions such as high blood pressure and coronary heart disease.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF HEART FAILURE

Signs and symptoms of heart failure may include:

·         Irregular heart rhythm

·         Fatigue and weakness

·         Swelling in the legs, feet and ankle

·         Shortness of breath

·         Lack of appetite

·         Nausea

·         Difficulty in concentrating

·         Frequent urination

·         Persistent cough or wheezing

·         Chest pain (if caused due to heart attack)

If you believe you are experiencing signs and symptoms of heart failure, immediately see your cardiologists for heart failure treatment.

Heart failure can also lead to death. Hence, seek emergency treatment if you experience any of the signs given below:

·         Severe weakness

·         Irregular heart beats

·         Chest pain

·         Shortness of breath

CAUSES OF HEART FAILURE

Few conditions or diseases that can cause heart failure are:

·         Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy, also known as heart muscle weakness, can cause due to certain infections, excessive consumption of alcohol or certain medications used to treat cancer.

·         Overactive thyroid gland

·         High blood pressure

High blood pressure can put strain on the heart, leading to heart failure.

·         Abnormal heart rhythm

This weakens the heart muscles causing too slow or too fast heartbeats cycle leading to heart failure.

·         Coronary heart disease (CHD)

This can block the arteries that supply blood to the heart leading to heart attack.

·         Damaged heart valves

Damage to the heart valves can obstruct blood flow and reduce the amount of blood your heart can pump leading to increased stress on the heart muscle.

 

RISK FACTORS OF HEART FAILURE

There are many factors that can increase the risk of heart failure, such as:

·         Certain viral infections that can damage your heart muscle

·         Excessive consumption of alcohol

·         Using tobacco

·         Obesity

·         Diabetes

·         High blood pressure

·         Sleep apnoea

·         Congenital heart defects

PREVENTION OF HEART FAILURE

There are certain lifestyle changes that you can make to reduce the risk of heart failure, such as:

·         Quit smoking

·         Manage certain health parameters such as blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol

·         Manage stress

·         Add healthy foods to your diet

·         Stay active