Heart failure symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment guidance.
Overview
What is a heart failure?
Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle doesn't pump blood as well as it should. When this happens, blood often backs up and fluid can build up in the lungs, causing shortness of breath.
How common are heart failure?
- Most common cause of hospital admission in India
- Affects 8-10 million people every year
- Heart failure-related hospitalisation occurs in about 10-20% of people aged above 80 years
Who is commonly affected?
Heart failure is more common in:
- Those who have heart disease or have suffered a heart attack
- Those who are overweight or obese
- Those with close family members with heart disease
- Smokers
- Those with high blood pressure, cholesterol issues, diabetes, obesity, kidney disease
- Those who have suffered serious viral infections
What causes heart failure?
- Previous heart attack
- Long-standing high blood pressure
- Weak heart muscle
- Heart valve disease
- Irregular heart rhythm
Symptoms of heart failure
- Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down
- Fatigue and weakness
- Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet or belly
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Reduced ability to exercise
- Wheezing
- A cough that doesn't go away
- Very rapid weight gain from fluid buildup
- Chest pain if heart failure is caused by a heart attack
Warning signs of a severe condition
- Chest pain.
- Fainting or severe weakness.
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat with shortness of breath, chest pain or fainting.
- Sudden, severe shortness of breath and coughing up white or pink, foamy mucus
Diagnosis
- Electrocardiogram or a graph recording of your heartbeats
- Blood test
- Echocardiography to view how well your heart is pumping blood
- Computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging or X-ray
Treatment
A heart failure can be managed by
- Medicines to decrease fluid buildup or decrease blood pressure or lower blood sugar
- Surgery to repair or replace heart valves, or to insert a device in your chest that helps keep your heart beating
What is heart valve surgery?
Heart valve replacement is a surgery or less invasive procedure that gives you a new heart valve. The valve may be biological (made from tissue) or mechanical (made from artificial parts). This is a treatment for severe heart valve disease. You may need a new valve if your heart can't pump blood well enough or you have symptoms like chest pain and fainting.t.
What happens before the surgery?
- Your doctor will
- Review all medicines which you might be taking at the time and ask you stop/modify certain ones
- Ask you not to eat or drink before the surgery
- On the day of the surgery, the medical team will check your heart rate, blood pressure, pulse and oxygen levels
What happens during the surgery?
- You are given a medicine to help sleep and not feel any pain
- A cut is made in the middle of your chest or in your groin
- A special device which works like your heart and lungs is connected to you
- Your surgeon will remove the diseased valve. They'll put a biological or mechanical valve in its place
- The surgical site is stitched back up
Type of anaesthesia: General
Duration of surgery: 1-4 hrs
Benefits of this surgery
- Longer survival
- Symptom relief
What are the possible risks?
- Bleeding
- Infection at the site where the catheter was inserted
- Kidney failure
- Heart attack
- Abnormal heartbeat
Post-surgery care
- 1 day in the intensive care unit
- A drain to remove excess fluid and urine might be attached to you
- You might have to breathe through a mask for some time
- 1 weeks in the hospital
Recovery time
- 1-3 months usually
Lifestyle & Prevention
Recommended diet
- Fruits and vegetables daily
- Whole grains
- Lean proteins
- Avoid eating fried food
- Reduce salt intake
- Limit consumption of sugar
Exercise
- At least 150 minutes/week moderate activity
- Walking, cycling, light exercise
- Start slowly after doctor approval
Long-term care
- Don't smoke.
- Get plenty of exercise.
- Eat healthy foods.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
- Take medicines as directed.
When to contact a doctor?
- New or changing symptoms
- Side effects from medicines
- Sadness, worries or anxiety that won't go away
- Questions about which activities are safe for you to do
Myths and Facts
If you have heart failure you shouldn't exercise.
It's very important for people with heart failure to exercise. However, it's also important that you don't overdo it. The right amount of exercise can help to improve your health
Heart failure only affects the elderly.
While more common over 65, it can affect any age group, including children and younger adults.
Heart failure can't be treated
There are many treatments available for heart failure that are very effective at reducing symptoms and delaying the progression of the condition. You should discuss treatment options with your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can heart failure be cured?
Some causes can be treated, but many patients need lifelong management.
Why is daily weight monitoring important?
Sudden weight gain may mean fluid buildup and worsening heart failure.
How long does an artificial heart valve last?
Mechanical valves can last for many years and may last a lifetime, while biological (tissue) valves may wear out over time and sometimes need replacement after 10-20 years.
