Heart failure is most often a long-term (chronic) condition, but it may come on suddenly. It can be caused by many different heart problems.
The condition may affect only the right side or only the left side of the heart. Both sides of the heart also can be involved.
Heart failure is present when:
- The heart muscle cannot contract very well. This is called systolic heart failure, or heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).
- The heart muscle is stiff and does not fill up with blood easily even though pumping power is normal. This is called diastolic heart failure, or heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
As the heart's pumping becomes less effective, blood may back up in other areas of the body. Fluid may build up in the lungs, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and the arms and legs. This is called congestive heart failure.
The most common causes of heart failure are:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD), a narrowing or blockage of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. This can weaken the heart muscle over time or suddenly.
- High blood pressure that is not well controlled, leading to problems with stiffness, or eventually leading to muscle weakening.
Other heart problems that may cause heart failure are:
- Congenital heart disease
- Heart attack (when coronary artery disease results in a sudden blockage of a heart artery)
- Heart valves that are leaky or narrowed
- Infection that weakens the heart muscle
- Some types of abnormal heart rhythm /arrhythmia
Other diseases that can cause or contribute to heart failure:
- Amyloidosis
- Emphysema
- Overactive thyroid
- Sarcoidosis
- Severe anemia
- Too much iron in the body /hereditary hemochromatosis
- Underactive Thyroid
Treatment(TX): depends on severity of the condition
TX can include eating less salt, limiting fluid intake, and taking prescription medications. In some cases a defibrillator or pacemaker may be implanted.
Self-care
Physical exercise, Quitting smoking, Weight loss, and Low sodium diet
Medications
Diuretic, Beta blocker, ACE inhibitor, Antihypertensive drug, Dietary supplement, Blood pressure support, Vasodilator, and Antianginals and the newest entrant, Ozempic® which purpotedly lowers the risk of major CV events such as stroke, heart attack, or death in adults also with known heart disease(source, www.ozempic.com).
Procedure(s)
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Devices
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
Surgery
Coronary artery bypass surgery
