Decompensated

Decompensated heart failure is a critical phase of heart failure where the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the body's needs. This condition is marked by severe symptoms and often requires immediate medical intervention. Decompensation can occur in a patient with a history of heart failure or as the first manifestation of heart disease.

Causes[edit | edit source]

Decompensated heart failure can be triggered by several factors, including:

Inadequate adherence to heart failure medications
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms)
Infections that affect the heart
Anemia
Excessive intake of fluids or salt
Kidney failure

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Symptoms of decompensated heart failure may include:

Severe shortness of breath
Edema (swelling), particularly in the legs, ankles, and feet
Rapid weight gain due to fluid retention
Fatigue and weakness
Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged phlegm
Increased heart rate

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis of decompensated heart failure involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests, including:

Echocardiogram to assess heart function
Blood tests to measure levels of certain substances like natriuretic peptides
Chest X-ray to view the heart and lungs
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to record the heart's electrical activity

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment aims to improve symptoms, stabilize the patient, and prevent further heart damage. Strategies include:

Medication adjustments, including diuretics to reduce fluid overload, ACE inhibitors or ARBs, beta-blockers, and aldosterone antagonists
Intravenous medications for rapid symptom relief in the hospital setting
Lifestyle modifications, such as dietary changes and fluid restriction
Monitoring and managing triggers, such as hypertension and arrhythmias
In severe cases, mechanical support devices or surgery may be considered

Prevention[edit | edit source]

Preventing decompensation in patients with heart failure involves:

Close monitoring of heart failure symptoms
Adherence to prescribed treatment regimens
Regular follow-up with a healthcare provider
Lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Translate this page: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, தமிழ், తెలుగు, Urdu, ಕನ್ನಡ, Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, বাংলা
European español, Deutsch, français, Greek, português do Brasil, polski, română, русский, Nederlands, norsk, svenska, suomi, Italian
Middle Eastern & African عربى, Turkish, Persian, Hebrew, Afrikaans, isiZulu, Kiswahili,
Other Bulgarian, Hungarian, Czech, Swedish, മലയാളം, मराठी, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, ગુજરાતી, Portuguese, Ukrainian

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.