What is heart failure?
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can’t pump
blood the way it should. In some cases, the heart can’t fill with enough blood.
In other cases, the heart can’t send blood to the rest of the body with enough
force. Some people have both problems.
“Heart failure” doesn’t mean that
your heart has stopped or is about to stop working. However, it’s a serious
condition that requires medical care.
Overview
Heart failure develops over time as
the pumping of the heart grows weaker. It can affect the right side of the
heart only or both the left and right sides of the heart. Most cases involve
both sides of the heart.
Right-side heart failure occurs when
the heart can’t pump blood to the lungs, where it picks up oxygen. Left-side heart
failure occurs when the heart can’t pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the rest
of the body.
Right-side heart failure may cause
fluid to build up in the feet, ankles, legs, liver, abdomen, and, rarely, the
veins in the neck. Right-side and left-side heart failure also cause shortness
of breath and fatigue (tiredness).
The leading causes of heart failure
are diseases that damage the heart. These include coronary artery disease
(CAD), high
blood pressure, and diabetes.
Outlook
Heart failure is a very common
condition. About 5 million people in the United States have heart failure,
and it results in about 300,000 deaths each year.
Both children and adults can have
heart failure, although the symptoms and treatments differ.
Taking steps to prevent CAD can help
prevent heart failure. These steps include following a heart healthy diet, not
smoking, doing physical activity, and losing weight if you’re overweight
or obese. Working with your doctor to control high blood pressure and
diabetes also can help prevent heart failure.
People who have heart failure can
live longer and more active lives if it’s diagnosed early and they follow their
treatment plans. For most, treatment includes medicines and lifestyle measures.
Currently, there’s no cure for heart
failure. However, researchers are finding and testing new treatments. These
treatments offer hope for better ways to delay heart failure and its
complications.
Learn more about heart failure:
Source: National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
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