Cardiovascular disease is a group of diseases of the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, heart arrhythmias, and heart valve problems. Of all these diseases, heart failure symptoms are the most common, and the mortality rate has increased, especially among young adults.
Cardiac failure, also called heart failure, is a condition in which the heart muscles do not pump blood properly for the body’s needs, leading to various heart failure symptoms. This condition can progress over time if not managed properly, leading to significant health complications.
Types of Heart Failure
Understanding heart failure symptoms can help in early detection and management of this serious condition.
1. Left-Sided Heart Failure: The impairment of the left ventricle to pump blood to the body. This can lead to fluid buildup in the lungs, causing breathing difficulties.
2. Right-sided heart Failure: The impairment of the right ventricle to pump blood to the lungs. This often results in swelling in the lower extremities, abdomen, and other areas.
3. Congestive heart failure: Impairment of the heart, not pumping blood properly and pooling up fluids in the lungs, liver, and other body parts. This type of heart failure is often associated with advanced stages of the condition.
Causes of Heart Failure
1. Chronic disease: Uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease cause heart failure. These conditions increase the workload on the heart over time, leading to damage.
2. Heart valve disease: Problems with the heart valves, such as stenosis or regurgitation, can lead to heart failure if left untreated.
3. Cardiomyopathy: heart muscle not working properly causes dilated cardiomyopathy and leads to heart failure. Reduced blood flow weakens the heart’s ability to pump effectively.
4. Coronary artery disease and Heart attack: damage the heart muscle and lead to heart failure.
5. Congenital heart disease: Birth defects affecting the heart’s structure can lead to heart failure later in life if not corrected.
Risk Factors
Sedentary lifestyle.
Obesity.
Alcohol consumption.
Cigarettes, and tobacco.
Family history.
Older age.
High cholesterol levels and poor dietary habits also contribute to the risk of heart failure.
Symptoms of Cardiac Failure
Pain on epigastric, chest, left arm.
Feeling tired every time.
Nausea, vomiting.
Weight loss.
Swelling in ankles, legs, and feet.
Orthopnea (unable to lay flat at night).
Palpitations and feelings of sinking of the heart.
Breathing difficulties on exertions and rest.
Coughing.
Dizziness and confusion can also occur in advanced stages of heart failure due to reduced blood flow to the brain.
Diagnosis of Cardiac Failure
1. On Examination: The cardiologist does a physical examination to evaluate signs of heart failure.
2. Chest X-ray: A chest X-ray is used to evaluate cardiomegaly and fluids in the lungs.
3. Electrocardiogram: For evaluation of any changes in ECG leads. This test also measures ejection fraction, a key indicator of heart health.
4. Echocardiogram: For assessment of heart function and structure.
5. Blood tests: Levels of natriuretic peptides, serum urea and electrolytes, BSRand HbA1c, lipid profile. These tests help identify underlying causes and assess the severity of the condition.
Treatment of Cardiac Failure
1. Lifestyle Modification:
Avoid smoking.
Maintain Normal BMI.
Healthy Balance diet. (Nutrients Needed for a Healthy Heart)
Avoid sodium and fluid intake.
Limit alcohol consumption and manage stress through relaxation techniques.
2. Medications:
Medicine like Diuretics, vasodilators, inotropic agents, anticoagulants, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), calcium channel blockers (CCBs), digoxin, nitrates are included use according to the condition of the patient.
Diuretics and inotropic agents are used in acute condition
ACEI, B- B-blockers, MRA, and SGLT2Is are used in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction.
Newer therapies are also emerging, providing additional options for managing advanced heart failure.
3. Surgery:
Right heart catheterization
Cardiac resynchronization therapy
Heart transplantation.
Repair or replace heart valves.
Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are also used as a bridge to transplantation or as long-term therapy in certain patients.