Heart Failure
Heart Failure is a chronic, progressive condition in which the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the body's needs. It is often a result of other conditions that have damaged or overworked the heart muscle, such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Heart failure is most commonly caused by conditions that weaken the heart muscle, known as cardiomyopathy. These conditions can include coronary artery disease, where the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become narrowed; high blood pressure, which forces the heart to work harder to pump blood; and diseases that cause inflammation in the heart muscle, such as myocarditis.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Symptoms of heart failure can vary widely from person to person, and may include shortness of breath, fatigue, swollen legs, and rapid heartbeat. The severity of these symptoms often depends on how much of the heart's pumping capacity has been affected.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of heart failure is based on medical history, a physical exam, and results from tests and procedures such as echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, and blood tests. An echocardiogram can help determine how well the heart is pumping, while an electrocardiogram can identify heart rhythm problems and damage to the heart muscle from a heart attack.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for heart failure usually involves a combination of medications, lifestyle changes, and sometimes surgery or devices. Medications used to treat heart failure include angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta blockers, and diuretics. Lifestyle changes can include quitting smoking, limiting salt and fluid intake, getting regular exercise, and managing stress.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for heart failure depends on the severity of the condition, the underlying cause, and the individual's overall health. With appropriate treatment and lifestyle changes, many people with heart failure can lead a full and active life.
See also[edit | edit source]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
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.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
