Heart failure

Alternative Names

Heart failure, Cardiac failure, CHF, Congestive heart failure, Left-sided heart failure, Right-sided heart failure

What is Heart failure

Heart failure is a serious condition characterizing by impossibility of the heart to pump enough blood throughout the body. If you have heart failure, it does not mean that your heart has stopped. It means that your heart is unable to pump blood the way it should.

Heart failure can be chronic (your condition is ongoing) and acute (your condition has started suddenly).

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of chronic heart failure include:

• Shortness of breath (dyspnea) when you exert yourself or when you lie down
• Fatigue and weakness
• Swelling (edema) in your legs, ankles and feet
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Reduced ability to exercise
• Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged phlegm
• Swelling of your abdomen (ascites)
• Sudden weight gain from fluid retention
• Lack of appetite and nausea
• Difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness

The most common symptoms of acute heart failure are:

• Sudden fluid buildup
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
• Sudden, severe shortness of breath and coughing up pink, foamy mucus
• Chest pain if your heart failure is caused by a heart attack

Possible complications

You may have the following complications due to heart failure:

• Kidney damage or failure. Heart failure can reduce the blood flow to your kidneys which can eventually cause kidney failure if left untreated.
• Heart valve problems. The valves of your heart may become damaged from the blood and fluid buildup from heart failure.
• Liver damage. Heart failure can lead to a buildup of fluid that puts too much pressure on the liver. This fluid backup can lead to scarring which makes it more difficult for your liver to function properly.
• Heart attack and stroke. Because blood flow through the heart is slower in heart failure than in a normal heart, it is more likely you'll develop blood clots, which can increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

Your symptoms and heart function can improve with proper treatment. However, heart failure can be fatal. People suffering from heart failure may have severe symptoms and some may require heart transplantation or support with an artificial heart device.

What causes

The main causes of heart failure are coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Prevention

Certain lifestyle changes can help you to prevent heart failure:

• Quit smoking
• Controlling certain conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes
• Staying physically active
• Eating healthy foods
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Reducing and managing stress

Treatment

There are certain types of medications that are used in the treatment of heart failure:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as Motrin or Aleve relieve aches, pains or fever.
• Most antiarrhythmic agents
• Most calcium channel blockers (if you have systolic heart failure)
• Some nutritional supplements such as salt substitutes and growth hormone therapies
• Antacids that contain sodium (salt)
• Decongestants such as Sudafed

You should discuss the safeness of taking these medications with your doctor. You should know the names of your medications, what they are used for, how often and at what times you take them. It is very important to tell to your doctor if you want to stop taking your medications. Even if you do not have any symptoms, your medications reduce the work of your heart so that it can pump more effectively.