Heart Failure
(Congestive Heart Failure; Chronic Heart Failure; Left Ventricular Dysfunction; Left Ventricular Failure)
Definition TOP
With heart failure, the heart is unable to pump the right amount of blood throughout the body. This causes blood to back up in the veins. It can lead to a buildup of excess fluid in the lungs, feet, and elsewhere. Heart failure can worsen with time. Vital organs can be damaged from low blood flow. Doctors are often aggressive in treating heart failure to try to prevent worsening and damage to other organs.
Blood Flow through the HeartCopyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. |
Causes TOP
The leading causes of heart failure are:
Other common causes include:
-
Problems with the heart's valves due to:
- Rheumatic heart disease
- Bacterial endocarditis
- Congenital defects
- Calcium deposits from atherosclerosis
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
Other less common causes include:
- Cardiomyopathy—weakened, damaged heart muscle
- Certain medications
- Abnormal heartbeats—arrhythmias
- Hyperthyroidism—overactive thyroid
- Amyloidosis
- Kidney failure and/or liver failure
- Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency
Risk Factors TOP
Heart failure is more common in older adults. Other things that increase the risk of heart failure include:
- Obesity
- Excess intake of salt and fat
- Excess alcohol intake
- Smoking
- Pregnancy
- High fever
- Severe infection, such as pneumonia
- Chronic lung disease—emphysema
- Chemotherapy
- Psychological disorders, such as depression or anxiety
Symptoms TOP
Heart failure can cause:
- Shortness of breath—at first only with activity, then progressing to shortness of breath at rest
- Unexplained weight gain
- Swelling of feet, ankles, or legs
- Need to sleep propped up
- Fatigue, weakness
- Wheezing
- Cough—may be dry and hacking or wet sounding, may have a pink, frothy sputum
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Abdominal pain
Diagnosis TOP
The doctor will ask about symptoms and past health. A physical exam will be done. The doctor may note changes caused by heart failure such as fluid build up in legs. They may also hear abnormal sounds when they listen to the heart. Blood tests may be done to look for certain markers of change in the heart.
Tests can help to show what areas of the heart are affected. They can also show changes in blood flow. This can be done with:
- ECG
- Echocardiogram
- Nuclear scanning
- Coronary angiography
- Exercise stress test
Doctors will use the test results to determine level of heart failure. This will help guide treatment plan.
Treatment TOP
Heart failure will need lifelong care. The goal is to prevent worsening of symptoms. Treatment can ease symptoms and improve quality of life. Some may also have some improvement in heart strength.
Treatment will vary by person and over time. A care plan will require input from patient and care team. Tracking weight and symptoms everyday will help to catch changes early. Fast treatment of changes may reduce worsening and other problems.
Heart failure may be caused by another health issue. Treating this issue may improve heart failure or prevent it from getting worse. For any form of heart failure, treatment may include:
Medications
Medicine can help to ease workload on the heart. They may include:
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors—to widen blood vessels
- Digoxin (digitalis)—to help the heart pump
- Beta-blockers—to slow heart rate and lower blood pressure
- Diuretics—to remove excess fluid
- Nitrates—to dilate the blood vessels
Medicine may also be give to treat other heart issues like high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
Lifestyle Changes
Day to day habits can affect heart health. Some changes may help ease stress on the heart. Changes may include:
- Quit smoking.
- Eating a heart healthy diet. Should be low in fat and high in fiber, vegetables and fruits. Salt intake may also need to be reduced.
- Regular physical activity.
- Weight loss if needed.
- Avoiding alcohol or recreational drugs that may stress the heart.
- Manage and reduce stress.
Heart Support and Surgery TOP
Heart failure may cause or be worsened by rhythm problems of the heart. A defibrillator or pacemaker may be implanted. They give electrical shocks if the heart starts dangerous rhythms.
Other devices can help support the heart. They may be needed short term to help recover from an injury or illness. They may also support the heart in last stages of heart failure until a transplant can be done. These devices increase the amount of blood pumped to the body without increasing workload on the heart. Examples include:
- Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP)
- Ventricular assist device
A heart transplant may be needed for severe heart failure, if all other treatment has failed.
Prevention TOP
The best way to prevent heart failure is to reduce your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. General steps include:
- Regular physical activity.
- Quit smoking.
- Limit alcohol.
- Lose weight if needed. Maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat a healthy diet.
RESOURCES:
American Heart Association
http://www.heart.org
Heart Failure Association of America
http://www.hfsa.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
http://www.heartandstroke.ca
REFERENCES:
Congestive heart failure and congenital defects. American Heart Association website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed September 14, 2020.
Explore heart failure. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hf. Accessed September 14, 2020.
Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114099/Heart-failure-with-reduced-ejection-fraction. Accessed September 14, 2020.
Lifestyle changes for heart failure. American Heart Association website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed September 14, 2020.
Paterna S, Parrinello G, et al. Medium term effects of different dosage of diuretic, sodium, and fluid administration on neurohormonal and clinical outcome in patients with recently compensated heart failure. Am J Cardiol. 2009;103(1):93-102.
Physical changes to report. American Heart Association website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed September 14, 2020.
Yancy CW, Jessup M, et al. 2013 ACCF/AHA guideline for the management of heart failure: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013;62(16):e147-e239.
4/2/2014 DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T905359/Choosing-Wisely: Updated July 23, 2015.
1/18/2017 DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T113766/Coronary-artery-disease-possible-risk-factors: Emdin CA, Odutayo A, et al. Meta-analysis of anxiety as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Am J Cardiol. 2016;118(4):511-519.
Last reviewed September 2020 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Michael J. Fucci, DO, FACC
Last Updated: 9/15/2020