Heart Failure

Heart Failure

The heart pumps blood to all body parts to deliver oxygen and nutrients. However, heart failure makes the heart unable to function, and the heart cannot provide the blood and oxygen the body needs. This causes fluid accumulation, shortness of breath, fatigue, cough, edema and other symptoms over time.

What is Heart Failure?

It is the inability of the heart to pump blood adequately. It can occur due to many reasons. It can be managed with medication and other treatment methods. Therefore, a doctor should be consulted.

What Are the Heart Failure Symptoms?

Heart failure symptoms are as follows:

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue and weakness
• Edema
• Chest pain
• Heart palpitations
• Coughing
• Anorexia and weight loss

What are the Causes of Heart Failure?

It may occur due to many reasons. The factors that cause this problem are as follows:

• Coronary artery disease
• Congenital heart diseases
• Diabetes
• Heart attack
• High blood pressure
• Weakening of the heart muscle
• Stroke
• Heart valve diseases
• Viral infections

What are Heart Failure Risk Factors?

Risk factors that can cause heart failure are as follows:

• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Alcohol consumption
• Bad eating habits
• Obesity
• Stress
• Diabetes
• Family history
• Advanced age
• Lack of physical activity

What are the Types of Heart Failure?

Problems in different parts of the heart can cause it. Therefore, there are different types.

Types of heart failure are as follows:

• Congestive: The rate of blood entering and leaving the heart is slower than expected. Therefore, blood accumulation occurs in some parts of the body. As a result, swelling may occur, especially in the feet, ankles, legs, and in some cases, in the lung region. These swellings are highly abnormal.
• Acute: It appears suddenly and disappears in the same way. It usually occurs due to loss of function and damage to the heart valves, and sudden high blood pressure. It can also occur in patients who have had a heart attack immediately after the attack.
• Chronic: The vast majority of patients are included in this group. The symptoms of chronic heart failure do not develop suddenly. At the same time, they continue to exist continuously, even if the symptoms subside.

What are the Heart Failure Stages?

The heart failure stages are as follows:

• Stage A: Symptoms are not yet present, but there are risk factors for heart disease.
• Stage B: Symptoms are still absent, but signs of heart disease can be seen.
• Stage C: The person has symptoms of heart failure.
• Stage D: Symptoms are severe enough to reduce the quality of life.  

This staging system is significant for determining the treatment plan for heart failure.

How is Heart Failure Diagnosed?

The diagnosis is made by evaluating many factors, such as signs and symptoms, physical examination findings, medical history, and test results.

Diagnosis is made using the following tests.

• Physical examination: The doctor collects information about signs and symptoms by listening to the patient's heart and lungs.
• Blood tests: Blood tests provide information about the factors that affect the heart's work.
• Echocardiography: The structural and functional features of the heart are examined using an ultrasound device.
• Electrocardiography (ECG): It is a test used to evaluate the rhythm of the heart and rhythm disorders.
• Chest X-ray: It is used to detect the factors that cause symptoms and whether there is a lung blister.
• Exercise test: It is used to detect the causes of symptoms.

How To Treat It?

Heart failure treatment varies depending on the severity of the symptoms, the cause and the stage of the disease. It is generally aimed to reduce symptoms, prevent disease progression and improve quality of life.

The methods used in the treatment are as follows:

• Lifestyle changes
• Drug therapy
• Surgical treatment
• Medical devices (pacemaker, heart pump, heart assist device, ventricular assist device)