What is heart failure?
Heart failure means your heart muscle does not pump as much blood as your body needs. Failure does not mean that your heart has stopped. It means that your heart is not pumping as well as it should.
Because your heart cannot pump well, your body tries to make up for it.
To do this:
Your body has an amazing ability to make up for heart failure. It may do such a good job that you don't know you have a disease. But at some point, your body will no longer be able to keep up. Your heart gets worn out. Then fluid starts to build up in your body, and you have symptoms like feeling weak and out of breath. This fluid buildup is called congestion. It is why some doctors call the disease congestive heart failure. Heart failure usually gets worse over time. But treatment can slow the disease and help you feel better and live longer.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of heart failure start to happen when your heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of your body. In the early stages, you may:
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Feel tired easily.
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Be short of breath when you exert yourself.
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Feel weak, very tired, or dizzy.
As heart failure gets worse, fluid starts to build up in your lungs and other parts of your body. This may cause you to:
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Feel short of breath even at rest.
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Have swelling (edema), especially in your legs, ankles, and feet.
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Gain weight. This may happen over just a day or two, or more slowly.
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Cough or wheeze, especially when you lie down.
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Need to urinate more at night.
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Feel bloated or sick to your stomach.
If your symptoms suddenly get worse, you will need emergency care.
How is it treated?
Most people with heart failure need to take several medicines. Your doctor may prescribe medicines to:
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Help keep heart failure from getting worse. These include ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), beta-blockers, and vasodilators like hydralazine and nitroglycerin.
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Reduce symptoms so you feel better. These include diuretics (water pills), digoxin, and potassium.
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Treat the problem that caused your heart failure.
It is very important to take your medicines exactly as your doctor tells you to. If you don't, your heart failure could get worse. Depending on the cause of your heart failure, you might need surgery to help your heart work better. For example, you might have bypass surgery or angioplasty to open clogged arteries or surgery to repair or replace a heart valve. If you have a problem with your heart rhythm, you might need to have a pacemaker or defibrillator placed in your chest. These help your heart keep a steady rhythm.Lifestyle changes are an important part of treatment. They can help slow down heart failure. They may also help control other diseases that make heart failure worse, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or coronary artery disease. The best steps you can take are to:
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Eat less salt (sodium). Sodium causes your body to retain water and makes it harder for your heart to pump. Your doctor may also ask you to watch how much fluid you drink.
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Get regular exercise. Your doctor can tell you what level of exercise is safe for you, how to check your pulse rate, and how to know if you are doing too much.
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Take rest breaks during the day.
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Lose weight if you are overweight. Even a few pounds can make a difference.
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Stop smoking. Smoking damages your heart and makes it hard to exercise.
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Limit alcohol. Ask your doctor how much, if any, is safe.
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To stay as healthy as possible, work closely with your doctor. Have all your tests, and go to all your appointments. It is also important to:
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Talk to your doctor before you take any new medicine, including nonprescription and prescription drugs, vitamins, and herbs. Some of them make your heart failure worse.
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Keep track of your symptoms. Weigh yourself every day, and write down your weight. Call your doctor if you have a sudden weight gain, a change in your ability to exercise, or any sudden change in your symptoms.