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Everything you need to know about Heart Failure

26/10/2021

Heart failure or congestive heart failure is a disease that occurs when the cardiac muscle (heart) cannot pump blood to the body as necessary. This often leads to a back-up of blood, causing fluid to pool in the lungs, liver, etc. This results in various complications that are potentially fatal.

Signs and symptoms of Heart Failure

Some of the signs and symptoms of heart failure include:

Unexplained fatigue
Shortness of breath with minimal exertion
Weight gain over a few days
Persistent wheeze
Irregular heart rate
Swelling of the abdomen or limbs
Prominent or protruding neck veins

Types of Heart Failure:

Based on the symptoms experienced, heart failure can be classified into four classes:

CLASS	DESCRIPTION	SYMPTOMS
I	No limitations of physical activity	Ordinary physical activity does not cause any heart failure symptoms.
II	Mild limitations of physical activity	Comfortable at rest or mild physical activity. Heart failure symptoms like palpitations, fatigue and shortness of breath with exertion.
III	Marked limitation of physical activity	Comfortable only at rest. Heart failure symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue and pain even with ordinary physical activity.
IV	Discomfort with any activity	Minimal physical activity causes significant heart failure symptoms such as persistent cough, swelling, impaired cognition, or sudden shortness of breath during sleep.

What Causes Congestive Heart Failure?

Some conditions that may increase your risk for developing heart failure include:

Coronary artery disease (CAD)
Cardiomyopathy
A previous heart attack
Congenital heart disease
Arrhythmias
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Poorly controlled diabetes
Severe anaemia
Chemotherapy and cancer treatments
Thyroid disorders
Drug or alcohol abuse

Heart Failure Diagnosis and Tests

To diagnose heart failure, your doctor may note your symptoms and medical history, as well as perform a physical examination. They may also order additional tests such as:

Blood tests to understand your kidneys and thyroid function, cholesterol, anaemia, and specific blood peptide indicators.
Cardiac catheterization to your heart from the inside using a long, thin tube called a catheter inserted into an artery.
Chest x-ray to assess the size of your heart and check for any fluid build-up.
Echocardiogram (echo) to see if you have a healthy heartbeat pattern and heart valve integrity.
Ejection fraction (EF) measures the blood pumped out of your heart with each beat. It can get better or worse based on your condition; it can also indicate if the treatment given to you for heart failure is working.
Electrocardiogram (ECG) is performed to record your heart the electrical activity. For this, electrodes are attached to your body using sticky patches that are connected to an electrocardiograph monitor.

Depending on your condition and the information required by your surgeon, other tests may be needed.

Complications of Heart Failure

If left untreated, heart failure can lead to many complications, including:

Liver damage
Kidney damage or failure
Heart rhythm problems
Heart valve leak problems

When to see a Doctor Specialist?

Notify your doctor urgently if you have:

Chest pain
Fainting or severe weakness
Rapid or irregular heartbeat associated with shortness of breath or fainting
Coughing up white or pink, foamy mucus
Sudden weight gain of 2 to 3 kg or more within a few days.

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Heart Failure Treatment

The treatment of heart failure would depend on the severity of your condition. Although early treatment can help you feel better in the short term, it is important to monitor your heart's health closely.

Medication:

It can help by improving the heart's ability to pump blood, reduce your heart rate, reduce cholesterol levels, and maintain electrolyte balance.

Surgery:

In later stages, interventional therapies like surgery may be necessary, such as-

Bypass surgery
Angioplasty
Pacemakers
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
Transplant surgery.

Prevention of Heart Failure

By modifying certain habits, you can prevent heart damage:

Reach and maintain a healthy weight
Limit your salt intake
Keep chronic conditions like hypertension, cholesterol, and diabetes in check
Stop using tobacco products
Frequently exercise and stay active
Don't abuse alcohol
Follow your doctors' recommendations on necessary surgery or other procedures

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can you recover from heart failure?

Heart failure can be very well controlled; a combination of medication and lifestyle changes can prevent further damage to your heart muscle.

What are the final stages of heart failure?

It is the most advanced form of heart failure. People experience symptoms such as breathlessness, swelling of the body, chronic wheezing, a lack of appetite, a very high heart rate (pulse), and disorientation.

What are the signs of worsening heart failure?

As heart failure progresses, the symptoms also worsen. The fluid build-up may begin to occur in your lungs as well as the rest of your body. This gives rise to symptoms such as shortness of breath even at rest, generalized fatigue, swelling of the limbs (particularly legs, ankles, and feet), an increasingly irregular heartbeat, persistent cough with white or pinkish sputum.

Is exercise good for heart failure?

Suppose you plan to start exercising after a diagnosis of heart failure. In that case, it is advised to speak to your doctor beforehand. While it is recommended to stay active, heavy aerobic exercises should be done cautiously and only with approval from experts.