Congestion or accumulation of fluid in various parts of the body result from the inability of the heart to pump out all the blood that returns to it.
A condition characterized by the inability of the heart to perform its proper pumping action.
The failure of the heart to maintain the output of blood to meet the demands of the body. It may affect the left or right sides of the heart, or both sides.
inability of the heart to pump enough blood to maintain normal body requirements. It may be caused by congenital defects or by any condition (e.g., atherosclerosis of coronary arteries, aortic stenois, myocardial infarction) that damages or overloads the heart muscle. Symptoms include edema, shortness of breath, and feelings of faintness. Treatment depends on the specific cause of the heart malfunction and on the age and general condition of the patient.
Condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the metabolic requirement of body tissues due to myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, or cardiomyopathy.
A condition in which the pumping action of the ventricle of the heart is inadequate. This results in back pressure of blood, with congestion of the lungs and liver. The veins in the neck becomed engorged and fluid accumulates in the tissues. There is a reduced flow of arterial blood from the heart, which in extreme cases results in peripheral circulatory failure (cardiogenic shock). Heart failure may result from any condition that overloads, damages, or reduces the efficiency of the heart muscle. Common causes are coronary thrombosis, hypertension, chronic disease of the valves, and arrhythmias. The patient experiences breathlessness, even when lying flat, and edema of the legs.
Inability of the heart to circulate blood effectively enough to meet the body’s metabolic needs. Heart failure may affect the left ventricle, right ventricle, or both. It may result from impaired ejection of blood from the heart during systole or from impaired relaxation of the heart during diastole. In the U.S., about 400,000 people are diagnosed with heart failure each year, and about 10% to 20% of affected persons die of the disease annually. Heart failure is one of the most common causes of hospitalization and rehospitalization in the U.S. The prognosis for patients with heart failure depends on the ejection fraction, that is, the proportion of blood in the ventricle that is propelled from the heart during each contraction. In healthy patients, the ejection fraction equals about 55% to 78%.
The term used to describe a condition in which the heart is incapable of pumping an adequate amount of blood to meet the body’s requirements.
Heart failure refers to the heart’s inability to meet the demands of pumping blood to the lungs and the rest of the body. While heart failure can predominantly impact either the right or left side of the heart, it most often affects both sides. This condition can present acutely or in a chronic, congestive form.
Left-sided heart failure can be a consequence of various conditions, including hypertension (high blood pressure), anaemia, hyperthyroidism (overactivity of the thyroid gland), a heart valve defect (like aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, or mitral regurgitation), or a congenital heart defect. In all these cases, the left side of the heart is compelled to work harder than usual to pump an equivalent volume of blood. Occasionally, the heart can temporarily compensate for this increased workload by enlarging the left side or thickening its muscular walls, or by accelerating the heart rate. However, these adaptations are only short-term solutions, and heart failure eventually ensues.
Additional causes of left-sided heart failure encompass coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction (heart attack), cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms), and cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle). In the case of cardiomyopathy, the heart’s pumping capacity diminishes to such an extent that it can no longer handle its usual workload.
Regardless of the root cause, in left-sided heart failure, the left side of the heart struggles to fully empty with each contraction or has trouble receiving blood returned from the lungs. This residual blood creates a “back pressure” that results in lung congestion with blood, leading to pulmonary oedema or excessive fluid in the lungs. The primary symptom of this condition is breathlessness, which may eventually occur even during rest. The patient may also experience nocturnal episodes of breathlessness, wheezing, and sweating.
Right-sided heart failure is most frequently a result of pulmonary hypertension, which is an elevated blood pressure in the arteries that serve the lungs. This condition can be triggered by left-sided heart failure or a lung disease like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Right-sided failure can also occur due to a heart valve defect, such as tricuspid regurgitation, or a congenital heart defect.
In all forms of right-sided heart failure, there’s a back pressure from the heart into the venous system. This can result in visibly swollen neck veins, an enlarged liver, and oedema, characterized by an excess of fluid in body tissues, most noticeably causing leg and ankle swelling. Moreover, the intestines may become congested, leading to discomfort and digestive issues.
The diagnostic process for suspected heart failure might include a physical examination, X-ray, ECG (electrocardiogram), and echocardiography.
Episodes of acute heart failure may either resolve naturally or necessitate immediate, life-saving intervention. The immediate treatment for heart failure typically involves bed rest with the patient in an upright position. Diuretic drugs are administered to enhance urine output from the kidneys, which helps to expel excess fluid from the body and decrease blood volume. In cases of acute left-sided heart failure, morphine and oxygen may be provided as emergency treatment. Long-term medication often includes the use of ACE inhibitors and diuretics. Other treatments may also involve angiotensin-II antagonists, additional vasodilator drugs, and beta-blocker medications. If heart failure coincides with atrial fibrillation, digoxin is likely to be prescribed to regulate the heart rate.
Additional potential treatments for heart failure encompass the installation of a pacemaker, performing a coronary artery bypass, or conducting a heart transplant.