Doctor and patient

The term ‘heart failure’ is a bit misleading, because although the heart is getting too weak to properly pump blood for a variety of reasons, it doesn’t actually stop as it does during other heart episodes.

To increase your knowledge about heart failure, discover the answers to these questions.

Q: What is heart failure?

A: Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to properly pump enough oxygen-rich blood.

Q: What does it affect?

A: Heart failure may affect only the right side or only the left side of the heart. More often, both sides of the heart are involved.

Q: What are the different types of heart failure?

A: The 3 most common types of heart failure are:

  • Left-sided, or left ventricular heart failure, includes both systolic and diastolic.

– The type known as systolic heart failure is when the heart muscle cannot pump blood out of the heart effectively.

– Diastolic heart failure is the term if the heart muscles are stiff and do not fill up with blood easily.

  • Right-sided heart failure is where the right side loses pumping power, which makes blood to back up in the veins.
  • When a weakened heart can’t move the blood effectively throughout the body, fluid backs up in the organs and extremities, which is called congestive heart failure.

Q: What are the most common causes of heart failure?

A: The most common causes are a narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart ­– often called coronary artery disease – and high blood pressure, which leads to the heart muscle getting stiff and weak.

Other causes include:

  • Congenital heart disease
  • Heart attack
  • Heart valves that are leaky or narrowed
  • Infection that weakens the heart muscle
  • Some types of abnormal heart rhythms

Q: What are some of the symptoms of heart failure?

A: These are a few of the most common symptoms:

  • Tiredness
  • Cough
  • Fatigue, weakness, faintness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Need to urinate at night
  • Pulse that feels fast or irregular
  • Shortness of breath when you are active or after you lie down
  • Swollen liver or abdomen
  • Swollen feet and ankles
  • Waking up from sleep after a couple of hours due to shortness of breath
  • Weight gain

Q: How can technology help heart failure?

A: The following surgeries and devices for certain patients with heart failure may be recommended:

  • Coronary bypass surgery (CABG) or angioplasty with or without stenting may help improve blood flow to the damaged or weakened heart muscle.
  • Heart valve surgery may be done if changes in a heart valve are causing your heart failure.
  • A pacemaker can help treat slow heart rates or help both sides of your heart contract at the same time.
  • A defibrillator sends an electrical pulse to stop life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms.

Q: What can I do to keep my heart healthy?

A: Here are lifestyle changes that can help:

  • Limit how much salt you eat
  • Limit alcohol use
  • Don’t smoke
  • Stay active
  • Lose weight
  • Lower cholesterol
  • Get enough rest

For more ways to lead a healthier lifestyle while living with heart failure, read more at Everyday Health.

Sources

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/CongenitalHeartDefects/TheImpactofCongenitalHeartDefects/Congestive-Heart-Failure_UCM_307111_Article.jsp

http://www.baylorhearthospital.com/Living-with-Heart-Failure.html

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