This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
What is heart failure?
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump out enough oxygen-rich blood for the body to function properly. This causes symptoms to occur throughout the body.
It is one of the most common reasons for hospital admission in people aged 65 years and older. Although heart failure may sound like a very sudden, emergency situation, it actually can take years to develop, and symptoms often begin slowly.
A person can have heart failure that affects only the right side of the heart or only the left side of the heart. Often, however, it occurs in both sides. In one type of heart failure, called systolic heart failure or heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, the muscles of the heart wall become weak and cannot effectively push blood out into the rest of the body. Another type of heart failure, called diastolic heart failure or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, occurs when the heart muscles stiffen and cannot easily fill with blood. Heart failure is called congestive heart failure when it causes a buildup of fluids in the body.
Although there are several factors that can lead to heart failure, the most common cause is coronary artery disease (CAD). In CAD, fatty buildup called plaque collects in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This buildup causes the arteries to narrow and limits the flow of blood. Heart failure also can be caused by heart defects since birth, high blood pressure, diseases of the heart valve, diabetes and more.
Symptoms of heart failure may include the following:
- recurring cough or shortness of breath, especially when lying down or exercising;
- fatigue or weakness, waking up feeling tired;
- loss of appetite;
- need to urinate at night;
- swelling of the feet or ankles;
- weight gain; and
- heart palpitations, feeling of irregular heartbeat
Medications for heart failure are usually designed to relieve symptoms and prevent heart failure from getting worse. These medicines act in various ways, including helping the heart pump better, stopping blood from clotting, decreasing cholesterol levels, and opening up blood vessels to reduce the workload on your heart. Additionally, some patients with heart failure may benefit from coronary artery bypass surgery or the implantation of a pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator or cardiac resynchronization device.
Additional information can be found at these websites:
www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@hcm/documents/downloadable/ucm_300315.pdf.
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000158.htm.