Heart Failure Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

What is Heart Failure?

Heart failure is a chronic ailment that develops when the heart is unable to pump blood so that the cells in the body receive the necessary oxygen and nutrients to function normally.

Heart failure does not mean the heart stops beating; it means that the strength at which it was pumping blood has reduced, and there is insufficient relaxation between beats. In other words, the performance of the heart is reduced in heart failure patients.

Heart failure can cause organs and tissues to develop weariness, dyspnea, and fluid accumulation if they do not obtain sufficient amounts of oxygen and nutrients. Heart failure can manifest itself gradually or suddenly, and it can affect either the left or right side of the heart, or both sides.

According to the American Heart Association and the World Health Organization, heart failure is frequently linked to various illnesses, some of which include coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and cardiomyopathies.

Timely diagnosis and management of heart failure can lead to effective symptom management, reduced heart tissue damage, and enhanced quality of life. Patients should see a doctor if their symptoms persist and follow evidence-based treatment under expert supervision.

HCG Hospitals, which is considered a leading cardiology hospital for heart failure, stresses awareness, early detection, and timely interventions for effective heart failure management.

Symptoms of Heart Failure

Heart failure symptoms can be gradual or sudden. Patients may experience these symptoms at varying intensities.

The following are the commonly observed early symptoms of heart failure:

Shortness of Breath: It is characterized by the inability to breathe normally after exerting oneself or when resting in a flat position.
Fatigue: It is a prolonged state of exhaustion that is brought on by a decrease in the amount of oxygen delivered to the tissues.
Swelling: Fluid accumulation commonly causes swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, and abdomen of patients with heart failure.
Faster or Irregular Heartbeat: Since the heart muscle is damaged, the electrical system of the heart may not function properly, leading to an erratic heartbeat.
Wheezing and Coughing: Prolonged wheezing or coughing are examples of chronic respiratory symptoms that are caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lungs.
Sudden Weight Gain: Rapid weight gain is a sudden rise in body weight that is brought on by the retention of fluid in the tissues of the body.
Reduced Ability to Exercise: One of the symptoms of reduced exercise tolerance is the inability to exercise on a regular basis without experiencing discomfort.
Nausea and Loss of Appetite: Heart failure patients may experience nausea or a loss of appetite due to fluid buildup in the gut or reduced blood flow to the digestive system.
Lightheadedness and Problems with Concentration: A decrease in blood flow can have an impact on brain function and cause dizziness and concentration issues in heart failure patients.

Causes and Risk Factors of Heart Failure

Coronary heart diseases, which can reduce or block the blood flow to the heart muscle, are identified as one of the most significant causes of heart failure.

The following list covers all major factors that increase the risk of heart failure:

Coronary Artery Diseases: These diseases reduce or block the blood flow to the heart, leading to increased heart failure.
High Blood Pressure: Poorly managed hypertension makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood, which can lead to high blood pressure.
Heart Attack: A heart attack occurs when the heart muscle sustains damage that lasts for an extended period of time. Those who have had heart attacks in the past have a higher risk of having heart failure.
Cardiomyopathy: Cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease) can compromise the structural and functional integrity of the heart muscle and increase heart failure risk.
Valvular Diseases: The usual patterns of blood flow are interrupted when valves fail to operate properly, which is a symptom of valvular heart disease.
Diabetes: People with diabetes mellitus experience metabolic alterations that heighten their risk of cardiovascular disease.
Being Obese and Overweight: Being overweight puts stress on the heart and boosts risk factors, which is why obesity is a big problem.
Smoking: Smoking exposes the heart muscle and blood vessels to toxins that cause harm, which, in turn, increases the risk of heart failure.
Excessive Alcohol Consumption: When an excessive amount of alcohol is consumed, alcohol poisoning can cause damage to the heart muscle over time.
Increasing Age: The risk of heart failure is increased by changes in the heart that occur with advancing age.

How is Heart Failure Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of heart failure begins with a detailed clinical examination, during which the doctor will carefully evaluate the symptoms experienced by patients, swelling, heart sounds, and blood pressure.

Following the clinical examination, additional tests are recommended for a detailed evaluation:

Echocardiogram: It is an ultrasound procedure that analyzes the anatomy of the heart as well as the efficiency of its pumping.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): This procedure assesses the heart’s electrical activity and looks for irregularities in the heart’s rhythm.
Chest X-ray: A chest X-ray can reveal the size of the heart as well as the amount of fluid in the lungs.
Blood Tests: These tests help look for markers of stress or cardiac injury.
Stress Test: Stress testing is a method that evaluates the capacity of the heart to operate when subjected to physical stress.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging: The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart provides extremely detailed pictures of the heart’s muscle and function.
Coronary Angiography: This procedure identifies blockages in the coronary arteries.
Nuclear Imaging: Evaluation of blood flow and the health of the heart muscle is performed using nuclear imaging.
Holter Monitoring: This procedure monitors rhythms continuously to identify arrhythmias.

Heart Failure Treatment Options at HCG Hospitals

Heart failure treatment is personalized to meet the specific health needs of each patient, which involves identifying and assessing individual case factors, which include the patient’s age, the risk factors involved, the overall health status of the patient, and various socioeconomic factors.

The following are the different treatment options available for heart failure:

Medications: Different medications recommended for heart failure treatment include ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and diuretics. These medications have the potential to enhance cardiac function, as well as alleviate symptoms and lower the likelihood of hospitalization.

Device-based Treatments: Pacemakers and implanted cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) may be beneficial for certain individuals seeking treatment for heart failure. Certain heart failure cases can be managed with the assistance of these devices, which help enhance the coordination of heart contractions, prevent sudden cardiac death, and control heart rhythm.

Interventional Cardiology Techniques: When heart failure is connected to blocked arteries or valve dysfunction, minimally invasive treatments such as angioplasty, stenting, or transcatheter valve interventions may be explored after an expert evaluation. These operations are performed to treat heart failure.

Advanced Heart Failure Treatment: Patients who are suffering from severe heart failure may be referred for consideration for a heart transplant or may get advanced therapy, such as ventricular assist devices, after undergoing a comprehensive clinical examination and being reviewed by many specialists.

Heart Failure Management & Lifestyle Changes

Symptom Management: The management of heart failure includes the monitoring of symptoms, adherence to medication, frequent follow-up, and the management of contributory disorders such as diabetes and hypertension. These are all important components of ongoing treatment. It is possible that structured heart failure programs, which are directed by cardiologists, might enhance long-term outcomes and minimize the number of hospitalizations, respectively.

Lifestyle Modifications: Alterations to one’s lifestyle, such as reducing the amount of alcohol consumed, giving up smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, consuming less salt, and engaging in sufficient physical activity, are some of the lifestyle adjustments that are recommended by medical professionals. It’s possible that these adjustments will enhance the general health of the heart and help medical therapy.

Why Choose HCG Hospitals for Heart Failure Treatment in India?

Considered one of the best heart failure hospitals in India, HCG Hospitals provides interdisciplinary cardiac care with the assistance of experienced cardiologists, cutting-edge diagnostic technology, and treatment protocols that are supported by evidence.

Heart failure treatment at HCG Hospitals focuses on delivering patient-centered treatment, maintaining safety, and adhering to globally recognized cardiac standards. Our specialists have specialized experience in managing everything from early diagnosis to advanced treatments for heart failure. In addition to comprehensive cardiology services, HCG Hospitals also offers integrated medical, interventional, and supportive treatment for patients, leading to improved outcomes and a higher quality of life for affected individuals.

FAQ’S

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Our Expert Doctors

(Prof.) Dr. Narendra Hiregoudar

Consultant Interventional Cardiology

Interventional Cardiology,

HCG Suchirayu Hospital, Hubli,