How to Identify Heart Failure
February 20, 2023
Heart failure can be preventable from just a few lifestyle changes and medications.
Although the term “heart failure” seems daunting – as if nothing can be done – it simply means the heart is not pumping blood effectively.
Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, is a condition that occurs when the heart does not contract hard enough to pump out as much blood as it should. This can cause blood to back up in the extremities (especially the lower legs) and for fluid to build up in the lungs and make it harder to breathe. Conditions such as coronary artery disease or high blood pressure can weaken the heart and make it harder for it to pump blood efficiently, leading to heart failure.
What are the signs and symptoms of heart failure?
Heart failure signs and symptoms include but are not limited to:
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Nausea
- Lack of appetite
- Continuous cough/wheezing with white or blood-colored mucus
What happens to the heart and body during heart failure?
When heart failure occurs, the heart and body try to compensate for the reduced blood flow. These changes may help temporarily, but ultimately weaken the heart further. The heart will…
- Stretch and try to enlarge to create stronger contractions and pump more blood. But, over time, this can cause the heart to become bigger in size.
- Develop more muscle mass in an attempt to help the heart pump with more force.
- Pump faster to increase the output of blood.
The body will also change to help compensate by:
- Keeping blood vessels narrow to increase blood pressure
- Diverting blood away from minor tissues and certain organs
Methods of treating heart failure
Although these temporary changes can help the heart in the short term, they are not long-lasting. Heart failure is a serious condition that needs timely medical attention. There is typically no cure, but many individuals with heart failure continue to enjoy a high quality of life.
How?
The condition can be managed by medications as well as lifestyle changes. For example, losing weight, exercising, and eating a healthier diet can improve your quality of life. In addition, several medical measures can help. For most heart failure patients, close monitoring and medication management is all they will ever need.
In some cases, surgery and implantable devices may be recommended to treat the underlying causes of heart failure. This can include, but is not limited to:
- Coronary bypass surgery to improve blood flow to heart muscles. Only a small percentage of patients would require a procedure like this.
- Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), which are like pacemakers. ICDs can monitor the heart rhythm and deliver an electrical shock to return the heart to a steady beat when necessary. ICDs do not technically treat heart failure but are recommended for some patients to prevent dangerous heart rhythms that can be a complication of severe heart failure.
Is it possible to prevent heart failure?
For most people, yes. The two biggest causes of heart failure are high blood pressure and heart attack. You can reduce your risk of those underlying causes by:
- not smoking
- exercising regularly
- eating a healthy diet
- maintaining a healthy weight
- managing stress, and
- limiting the amount of alcohol you drink
But some causes of heart failure – such as heart or blood vessel problems you may have been born with, malfunctions of the heart’s electrical system, effects of air pollution, or direct injury – are harder to prevent and can happen to anyone.
What is my first step to a heart-healthy lifestyle?
If you have a primary care physician (PCP), talk to them about heart health. They can look at your personal and family history and your risk factors, listen to your heart and lungs, measure your blood pressure, and order testing, if needed. They can also refer you to a cardiologist, a specialist in heart care, if they feel you need additional testing or monitoring. Your doctor is a key partner in your journey to a heart-healthy life.