These conditions can damage or weaken the heart and be causes of heart failure:
Coronary artery disease with heart attack is the most common cause.
Abnormal heart valves interfere with the right volume of blood flowing in the right direction.
Damage to the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), which may result from infection, alcohol abuse, cancer chemotherapy, drugs such as cocaine and others.
High blood pressure (hypertension) forces the heart to work harder to pump blood through the body, causing the heart muscle to thicken and become stiff.
Myocarditis – which is inflammation of the heart muscle
Heart defects – present at birth
Other chronic diseases – such as viruses and autoimmune diseases
Diabetes
Some diabetes medications – Avandia, Actos. Don’t stop taking the medication on your own. If you are taking them discuss it with your doctor
Sleep apnea – can result in low blood oxygen during the night and cause abnormal heart rhythms.
Source : National Heart, Lung and Blood institute
Source : American Academy of Family Physicians
Source : American Academy of Family Physicians:
Heart Failure Diagnose
When heart disease, including heart failure, is suspected, your doctor will take your medical history and do a physical examination. Your doctor may order some of these tests to help diagnose heart failure:
Blood tests– A sample of blood is taken to check kidney, thyroid, and other body functions. It checks a particular chemical for heart failure.
Chest X-ray– The X-ray helps show the condition of your lungs and heart. In heart failure, the heart may appear enlarged, and fluid may be backing up into the lungs.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)– This test records the electrical activity of the heart. It can show damage to the heart muscle that may have occurred with a heart attack. It will show problems with the heart rhythm.
Echocardiogram– This test, which is an ultrasound of the heart, can show problems with heart valves, if your heart pumps out enough blood with each contraction. That measurement is called the ejection fraction. It may show evidence of previous heart attack(s) and unusual causes of heart failure.
Stress test– This is an exercise test which shows how your heart responds to exertion and may demonstrate coronary artery disease. At times this test may be combined with a method to make images of the heart during exertion.
Heart CT or MRI are additional imaging studies.
Cardiac catheterization (angiogram) – This is a procedure in which a catheter is inserted through a vein until the catheter’s tip is close to the heart. Dye is injected and imaging shows blood flow, valve activity, artery blockages, weak or dead heart muscle and pumping strength.
Myocardial biopsy – Rarely, a sample of the heart muscle is collected and examined under a microscope. It tests for many diseases..
Source : National Heart, Lung and Blood institute
Source : American Academy of Family Physicians
Source : American Academy of Family Physicians
Heart Failure Treatment
The doctor may prescribe several medications. Thorough information about each class of medications is beyond the scope of this article, but most fall into these categories:
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Beta blockers
Digoxin
Diuretics (water pills)
Angiotensin II receptor
Aldosterone antagonists
Lonotropes
Surgery and medical devices:
Coronary bypass surgery – Blood vessels are taken from other parts of the body and used to direct blood flow around a blockage.
Heart valve repair or replacement – This is recommended when valves are not allowing enough blood flow in the right direction.
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) – are similar to a pacemaker. It monitors the rhythm of the heart. If the heart stops, or has a dangerous rhythm it will produce an electric shock to convert the heart to its normal rhythm.
Heart pumps – These are implanted in the abdomen or chest to take over the heart’s duties, especially if the patient is too sick for a transplant or is waiting for a transplant.
Heart Failure Prevention
The things you can do to prevent heart failure, prevent worsening, and manage life with heart failure are identical.
They consist of:
Stop smoking. Ask your doctor to help you quit.
Weigh yourself daily in the morning after you urinate. If you gain five pounds in one week, it may mean that you are retaining water.
Restrict salt intake to avoid elevating blood pressure and retaining water.
Maintain a healthy weight. A loss of even 5 pounds improves your health.
Limit fats and cholesterol. These contribute to coronary artey disease.
Limit alcohol, which is toxic to heart muscle.
Be active. Check with your doctor about your tolerance for activity and exercise.
Reduce stress. When you are upset, your heart beats faster and requires more oxygen. Blood pressure goes up. It may overtax the heart. Find ways to reduce stress. Take naps. Put your feet up.
Sleep well. If you’re short of breath when lying down, or snore, raising the question of sleep apnea, discuss these with your doctor.
These steps can help you and your doctor to work together for your good health:
Record your medications
Avoid over the counter drugs unless approved by your doctor
Be careful about supplements. Get your doctor’s approval before you use supplements
Record your weight
Record your blood pressure
Write down your questions
Ask about anything you don’t understand
An open dialogue with your doctor is essential, even affecting quality and length of life. Be honest about how well you’re taking care of yourself. Take your recorded information with you to your appointments with your doctor.
Heart Failure Management
The things you can do to prevent heart failure, prevent worsening, and manage life with heart failure are identical.
They consist of:
Stop smoking. Ask your doctor to help you quit.
Weigh yourself daily in the morning after you urinate. If you gain five pounds in one week, it may mean that you are retaining water.
Restrict salt intake to avoid elevating blood pressure and retaining water.
Maintain a healthy weight. A loss of even 5 pounds improves your health.
Limit fats and cholesterol. These contribute to coronary artey disease.
Limit alcohol, which is toxic to heart muscle.
Be active. Check with your doctor about your tolerance for activity and exercise.
Reduce stress. When you are upset, your heart beats faster and requires more oxygen. Blood pressure goes up. It may overtax the heart. Find ways to reduce stress. Take naps. Put your feet up.
Sleep well. If you’re short of breath when lying down, or snore, raising the question of sleep apnea, discuss these with your doctor.
These steps can help you and your doctor to work together for your good health:
Record your medications
Avoid over the counter drugs unless approved by your doctor
Be careful about supplements. Get your doctor’s approval before you use supplements
Record your weight
Record your blood pressure
Write down your questions
Ask about anything you don’t understand
An open dialogue with your doctor is essential, even affecting quality and length of life. Be honest about how well you’re taking care of yourself. Take your recorded information with you to your appointments with your doctor.