Heart Failure: Key Facts About the Silent Killer Everyone Needs to Know

Heart failure (IC) occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood effectively to meet the body’s needs. It is a chronic condition which can develop gradually. There are several types of heart failure:
Left heart failure: The left side of the heart is damaged, causing fluid to build up in the lungs (pulmonary congestion).
Right heart failure: The right side of the heart is struggling, causing fluid to build up in the body’s tissues and organs (peripheral edema).
Congestive heart failure (ICC): This term often refers to combined left and right heart failure, with symptoms of fluid retention.

What causes heart failure?

Heart failure can result from a variety of underlying conditions, including:

Coronary artery disease (CAD): Narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle.
Hypertension: High blood pressure that forces the heart to work harder.
Myocardial infarction: A heart attack which damages the heart muscle.
Cardiomyopathy: Diseases of the heart muscle that can affect its ability to pump blood.
Heart valve disease:A dysfunction of the heart valves that affects blood flow.

What are the symptoms of heart failure?

Common symptoms of heart failure include:

Shortness of breath: especially during physical activity or when lying down.
Fatigue: feeling unusually tired or weak.
Swelling: in the legs, ankles or abdomen due to water retention.
Persistent cough: often accompanied by frothy or pink-tinged sputum.
Fast or irregular heartbeat: palpitations or racing heart.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of heart failure usually involves:

Medical history and physical examination: Assess symptoms and listen for abnormal heart sounds or fluid in the lungs.
Blood tests: Look for markers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) that indicate heart strain.
Imaging tests: including chest X-rays and echocardiograms to assess heart structure and function.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): Monitoring electrical activity and identifying arrhythmias.

Treatment

Management of heart failure often involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and possibly procedures:
Lifestyle changes: dietary modifications (low sodium diet), regular exercise, and weight management.
Medications: Commonly prescribed medications include ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics, and aldosterone antagonists.
Procedures: In severe cases, treatments such as implantable devices (eg, pacemakers, defibrillators) or heart transplantation may be considered.

Prevention

Preventing heart failure involves managing risk factors and maintaining overall health. heart health:
Blood pressure control: regular monitoring and treatment if high.
Healthy diet: low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium.
Regular exercise: engage in moderate physical activity.
Avoid smoking and limit your alcohol consumption: both of these substances can make heart problems worse.
Managing Chronic Disease: Effective management of diabetes, high cholesterol, and other health conditions.

Prognosis and outlook

Heart failure is a serious condition, but it can be managed effectively with appropriate treatment and lifestyle adjustments. Prognosis varies depending on severity, underlying causes, and response to treatment. Regular follow-up by healthcare professionals is essential to optimize management and improve quality of life.

Living with heart failure

Patients with heart failure should work closely with their healthcare team to monitor symptoms, adhere to treatment plans, and make necessary lifestyle changes. Support from family, friends, and heart failure support groups can also be helpful in managing the disease and maintaining emotional well-being.
Understanding heart failure is essential to effectively managing this disease. Knowing its causes, symptoms, and treatments can empower patients to take control of their health and work toward a better quality of life.
(Author: Dr. Lakshmi Kanth P, MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DM (Cardiology), Consultant and Interventional Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals, BG Road, Bangalore)