Heart Failure
Heart failure is a serious but reasonably common condition. In heart failure, the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Heart failure develops over time as the pumping action of the heart gets weaker, or if it gets more difficult to adequately fill the heart with blood between heartbeats. It can affect either the right, the left, or both sides of the heart.
When heart failure affects the left side of the heart, the heart cannot pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. When heart failure affects the right side of the heart, the heart cannot pump enough blood to the lungs, where it picks up oxygen. When the heart is weakened by heart failure, fluid can back up into the lungs, and fluid builds up in the feet, ankles, and legs.
What causes Heart Failure?
In people over age 65, heart failure is often caused by a thickened and stiff heart muscle that relaxes too slowly, causing fluid to back up into the lungs when the heart is stressed, such as during physical activity. Long-term hypertension (high blood pressure) and obesity are risk factors for this type of heart failure. Although the heart muscle is not damaged or weak in this type of heart failure, it can be a very debilitating condition if not treated. Heart failure is caused by other diseases that damage the heart muscle, such as coronary heart disease (blocked blood vessels), heart attacks, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Treating these problems before the heart muscle is damaged can prevent heart failure.
What are the symptoms of heart failure?
• Trouble breathing while resting or while doing activities.
• Feeling tired after doing something that is normally simple or easy.
• Sudden weight gain (1-3 kgs or more in 1 to 2 days).
• Swelling of your lower limbs (your legs or ankles).
• Swelling or pain in your abdomen (stomach area).
• Trouble sleeping unless you are propped up on 2 or more pillows.
• Frequent, dry, hacking cough (common when lying down).
• Loss of appetite.
What are some treatment options?
Usually, your symptoms can be controlled with medicines, rest and diet. It is good when symptoms of heart failure are found early because then treatment can be started right away. Starting treatments sooner can allow you to live a more normal life. The most common treatments are:
• Checking your weight daily.
• Eating less sodium (salt).
• Stop drinking alcohol.
• Limit the amount of fluids you drink.
• Regular exercise.
• Regular rest.
• Taking medicines prescribed by your doctor.
Call your doctor if you notice any of these signs:
• Have increasing shortness of breath during your daily activities, for example, walking or climbing the stairs.
• Have trouble breathing lying flat in bed, for example you need extra pillows or have to sleep in a chair.
• Are waking up at night having trouble breathing.
• Have weight gain of 5 pounds (2.3 kilograms) or more in 1 week.
• Have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
• Have a cough that does not go away.
• Feel very tired all the time.
• Feel dizzy after taking your medicines.
• Have increased swelling of your legs or ankles.
• Have pain or feeling of fullness in the abdomen (stomach area).
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