Heart Failure- Plawv Ua Hauj Lwm Tsis Zoo

8/9/20242 min read

What You Need to Know

Heart failure is a long-term condition where the heart doesn't pump blood as well as it should. This means that the body doesn’t get enough blood and oxygen to function properly. Heart failure is a serious health issue, and if not treated, it can lead to more problems. In this blog, we'll go over what heart failure is, its symptoms, possible complications, how it’s treated, and the lifestyle changes that can help manage it.

How Heart Failure Happens

Heart failure usually happens because the heart muscle has become weak or damaged. This can be due to different conditions like coronary artery disease (narrowing of the blood vessels that supply the heart), high blood pressure, or previous heart attacks. When the heart is damaged, it might change shape or become thicker, making it harder for it to pump blood. This can affect how well the heart pumps blood out (called systolic heart failure) or how well it fills with blood (called diastolic heart failure).

Symptoms of Heart Failure

People with heart failure may experience a variety of symptoms, and these can be mild or severe. Some common symptoms include:

Shortness of breath: This might happen during physical activity or when lying down.
Tiredness and weakness: Feeling more tired than usual, even after resting.
Swelling: You might notice swelling in your legs, ankles, and feet.
Rapid or irregular heartbeat: Feeling like your heart is racing or skipping beats.
Persistent cough: A cough that doesn’t go away, sometimes producing white or pink mucus.
Frequent urination at night: Needing to pee more often during the night.
Difficulty focusing: Trouble concentrating or feeling less alert.

Possible Complications

If heart failure isn’t managed well, it can lead to serious health issues like:

Kidney damage: Reduced blood flow can harm the kidneys, possibly leading to kidney failure.
Heart valve problems: Extra pressure or fluid can cause issues with the heart valves.
Arrhythmias: Irregular heartbeats, which can sometimes lead to sudden cardiac arrest.
Liver damage: Fluid buildup in the liver can cause damage and congestion.

How Heart Failure is Treated

Treating heart failure usually involves a combination of medications, lifestyle changes, and sometimes surgery. Some common medications include:

ACE inhibitors or ARBs: These help relax blood vessels.
Beta-blockers: These help slow down the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Diuretics: These help reduce the amount of fluid in the body.
Aldosterone antagonists: These protect the heart from further damage.

In more severe cases, surgery might be needed. This could include procedures like coronary artery bypass surgery (to improve blood flow to the heart), repairing or replacing a damaged heart valve, or even a heart transplant.

Lifestyle Changes

Along with medical treatments, making changes to your lifestyle is crucial in managing heart failure. These include:

Eating a heart-healthy diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
Regular exercise: Staying active, but within your limits, can strengthen your heart.
Maintaining a healthy weight: This helps reduce the strain on your heart.
Limiting salt: Too much salt can cause fluid retention, making symptoms worse.
Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol: Both of these habits can make heart failure worse.
Managing stress: Relaxation techniques and therapies can help you manage stress and keep your heart healthy.

Conclusion

Heart failure is a serious condition, but understanding it and taking the right steps can help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life. Recognizing the symptoms early, following treatment plans, and making healthy lifestyle choices are key to living well with heart failure. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of heart failure, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. See your doctor for medical advice!

References:

American Heart Association. (n.d.). What is heart failure? Retrieved November 9, 2022, from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/what-is-heart-failure

UpToDate. (n.d.). Heart failure: The basics. Retrieved October 25, 2025, from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/heart-failure-the-basics?search=heart%20failure&topicRef=121085&source=see_link