Heart failure is a chronic and progressive condition where the heart’s ability to pump blood to the rest of the body is impaired. It affects millions of people around the world and is a major cause of hospitalizations and deaths.

However, with proper management and treatment, many people with heart failure can live longer and better quality lives.

What is Heart Failure?

Heart failure happens when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s demands. There are different types of heart failure, depending on which part of the heart is affected and whether the heart muscle is weak or stiff.

The most common type of heart failure is left-sided heart failure, where the left ventricle, the heart’s main pumping chamber, is weakened and doesn’t pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body.

Right-sided heart failure happens when the right ventricle, which pumps blood to the lungs, is weakened and can’t handle the blood that returns to the heart from the body. Both types of heart failure can occur together and cause congestion and fluid buildup in the body, such as the legs, ankles, and lungs.

Causes of Heart Failure

Heart failure can happen due to various factors that damage or weaken the heart. Some of them are:.

• Coronary artery disease: the narrowing or blockage of the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood and oxygen.
• Heart attack: a sudden blockage of the coronary artery that causes damage to the heart muscle.
• High blood pressure: the constant force of blood against the artery walls that can damage them and overwork the heart.
• Cardiomyopathy: a disease that affects the heart muscle and makes it weak or stiff.
• Valvular heart disease: a condition that affects the heart valves, which regulate the blood flow through the heart.
• Arrhythmias: abnormal heart rhythms that affect the heart’s pumping ability.
• Other factors: obesity, diabetes, sleep apnea, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, infections, and genetic predisposition.

Symptoms of Heart Failure

The symptoms of heart failure can be subtle or severe, depending on the severity of the condition and the underlying causes. Some of the most common symptoms are:.

• Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity or when lying down.
• Fatigue and weakness, even with light exertion.
• Coughing and wheezing, especially at night.
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet.
• Loss of appetite and nausea.
• Difficulty concentrating and memory problems.
• Increased heart rate and palpitations.

Diagnosis of Heart Failure

Heart failure can be diagnosed by a cardiologist or a primary care physician, based on the patient’s symptoms, medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. Some of the most common tests are:.

• Chest X-ray: to check for the enlargement of the heart and fluid buildup in the lungs.
• Echocardiogram: to evaluate the size, shape, and function of the heart, including the ejection fraction, which is the amount of blood the heart pumps out with each beat.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): to check for abnormal heart rhythms and signs of heart damage.
• Blood tests: to check for biomarkers of heart failure, such as brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and troponin.
• Cardiac MRI or CT scan: to provide detailed images of the heart and blood vessels.
• Exercise stress test: to evaluate the heart’s response to physical activity.

Treatment of Heart Failure

The treatment of heart failure aims to relieve the symptoms, improve the heart’s function, and prevent further damage and complications.

There are different approaches to treating heart failure, depending on the stage, severity, and causes of the condition.

Lifestyle changes

The first step in managing heart failure is to adopt healthy habits that can reduce the risk factors and improve the overall health. Some of the recommended lifestyle changes are:.

• Adopting a heart-healthy diet that is low in salt, fat, and cholesterol, and rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
• Maintaining a healthy weight and body mass index (BMI).
• Exercising regularly, according to the doctor’s recommendations and limitations.
• Avoiding or quitting smoking and limiting alcohol and caffeine intake.
• Taking medications as prescribed, such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta-blockers, and aldosterone antagonists, which can help reduce the fluid buildup, lower the blood pressure, and improve the heart’s function.

Medical procedures

If the lifestyle changes and medications are not enough to control the symptoms and complications of heart failure, the doctors may recommend one of the following procedures:.

• Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT): a type of pacemaker that coordinates the contractions of the heart’s chambers to improve the pumping efficiency.
• Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD): a device that can detect and treat abnormal heart rhythms that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest.
• Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery or angioplasty: procedures that can restore the blood flow to the heart muscle and reduce the risk of heart attack and heart failure.
• Heart transplant: a procedure that replaces the diseased heart with a healthy heart from a donor.

Preventing Heart Failure Deterioration

Preventing heart failure deterioration is essential to maintaining the heart’s function, improving the quality of life, and reducing the risk of hospitalizations and deaths.

The European Cardiology Society (ESC) provides some advice on how to prevent heart failure deterioration, based on the latest research and evidence:.

Related Article Managing Heart Failure: European Cardiology Society Guidelines

Monitor the symptoms

Monitoring the symptoms of heart failure is crucial to detect any changes that may indicate worsening of the condition.

The patients should regularly check their weight, blood pressure, and heart rate, and report any new or worsening symptoms to their doctors, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, dizziness, swelling, and coughing.

Adhere to the treatment plan

Adhering to the treatment plan prescribed by the doctor is essential to managing heart failure and preventing deterioration.

The patients should take their medications as prescribed, follow the lifestyle recommendations, and attend regular follow-up appointments with their doctors to monitor the response to treatment and adjust the plan if necessary.

Avoid triggers and stressors

Avoiding triggers and stressors that can worsen heart failure is important to prevent deterioration.

The patients should avoid or minimize exposure to smog, pollution, allergens, and extreme temperatures, as they can affect the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. They should also manage their stress levels by practicing relaxation techniques, such as meditation, mindfulness, yoga, and tai chi, as stress can raise the heart rate and blood pressure.

Get vaccinated

Getting vaccinated against infectious diseases, such as influenza and pneumonia, is important to prevent complications that can worsen heart failure.

The patients should follow the vaccination recommendations of their doctors and keep their immunization records up-to-date.

Manage comorbidities

Managing comorbidities that can worsen heart failure, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease, is important to prevent deterioration.

The patients should work with their doctors to control their blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, and undergo regular check-ups and screenings to detect any complications early.

Participate in cardiac rehabilitation

Participating in cardiac rehabilitation programs after a heart event or surgery, such as heart attack, angioplasty, or heart transplant, is important to recover faster and prevent deterioration.

The patients can benefit from supervised exercise, education, counseling, and support that can help them manage their condition and improve their overall health and well-being.

Conclusion

Heart failure is a serious condition that requires proper management and treatment to prevent deterioration and complications.

By adopting healthy habits, adhering to the treatment plan, monitoring the symptoms, and following the advice of the medical experts, such as the European Cardiology Society, people with heart failure can live longer and better quality lives.