Heart Failure

Based on the symptoms revealed and its severity, heart failure may be categorized as- 

• Class I – No symptoms 
• Class II– Does not interfere with daily routine, but may cause fatigue on exertion. 
• Class III– Interrupts daily activities causing various symptoms. 
• Class IV– Causes severe symptoms like shortness of breath even if one is at rest.

The heart failure may cause following symptoms-

- Difficulty in breathing

- Fatigue

- Swollen legs and feet

- Abnormal heart beats

- Getting tired easily

- Severe coughing with foamy or bloody mucus

- Frequent urge to urinate, especially during night

- Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen

- Unexpected weight gain

- Nausea

- Reduced hunger

- Altered concentrate

Following factors may weaken or damage the heart muscles causing heart failure.

 

•  Narrowing of the blood vessels in the heart
•  High blood pressure
•  Heart defects that may present at the time of birth
•  Infections
•  Long term use of specific medications e.g. chemotherapy for cancer
•  Drug abuse e.g. Cocaine
•  Genetic heart diseases
•  Too fast or too slow heart beats
•  Diabetes
•  Thyroid diseases
•  AIDS
•  Accumulation of iron or proteins in the body
•  Alcohol consumption
•  Smoking
•  Obesity

A heart attack occurs when certain solid substances forms plaque on the inner walls of the blood vessels in the heart. This solid plaque may get ruptured, allowing the solid particles to flow into the blood stream and causes a blood clot at the site of plaque rupture. This blood clot may completely block the blood flow causing injury to the heart muscles. The heart failure is characterized by the symptoms mentioned above while heart attack is characterized by radiating chest pain, sweating, heartburn, dizziness, difficulty in breathing, etc.

Diagnosis of heart failure may involve following tests and examinations-

Assessment of Medical History– Doctor may ask you about diseases or medication history that might cause heart failure.

Physical Examination– To look for all the possible symptoms that may indicate the heart failure.

Blood Tests– To look for the specific chemical that may signify the heart failure.

Imaging Tests– Chest X-ray may reveal the enlargement of the heart which is an indicative of the heart failure. Computerized tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart may be done to find out other possible causes of heart failure. Electrocardiogram (ECG) – To look for the abnormality in the heart rhythm and signs of heart attack.

Echocardiogram– To look for the structural abnormality or some rare causes of heart failure.

Echocardiogram– To look for the structural abnormality or some rare causes of heart failure.

Stress Test– To look for the signs of other heart diseases that might be causing heart failure. It involves measuring the response of the heart on physical exertion.

Coronary Angiogram– To trace out the blocked blood vessels with the application of dye that enables the clear visibility of blocked blood vessels.

Biopsy– A sample of heart muscle is taken out and examined under the microscope to look for the causes and signs of heart failure.

Although heart failure is a severe condition, most of its causes can be reversed with effective treatment approaches. Treatment of heart failure often aims to strengthening of the heart muscles and treating the cause, thereby improving the symptoms and preventing further complications. Treatment strategies may include:

Drugs and medications – The doctor may prescribe several medications or combination of medications to improve the underlying condition and overall symptoms. E.g. Medicines to reduce BP, correct heart rhythm, strengthen the heart muscles, to treat obstructed breathing, and many more.

Coronary bypass surgery – It is the procedure of bypassing the blocked blood vessel with the help of blood vessel from other parts of body, mostly from leg. This surgery enables free blood flow through the heart.

Surgery to correct structural heart defects – Usually, valve defects leads to heart failure. Minor defects often get resolved with surgery, but in those with severely altered structure, replacement of faulty valve with artificial valve may be needed.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) – It is an artificial device placed under the skin in the chest area and connected to the heart. It helps to regulate and adjust the heart beats to the normal rhythm.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) – It helps the heart chambers to pump the blood efficiently and uniformly. It can be used alone or in combination with ICDs to regulate the blood flow in heart failure patients.

Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) – Ventricular assist devices (VADs) can be placed in the abdomen and connected to the heart to keep the blood pumping and flowing through the body tissues. It is especially useful to improve survival chances and quality of life in patients waiting for the heart transplant and/or those with end- stage heart failure but not eligible for transplant.

Heart transplant – When all other approaches fails to improve the symptoms, the doctor may suggest replacement of weakened heart with the healthy heart from matching donor. One has to wait with supportive treatment until he/ she finds suitable donor. Unlike other organ transplant, heart donor is a person who has recently died.

Prefer eating: Foods with low sodium content 

 

• Meat 
• Chicken 
• Fish 
• Fresh and frozen vegetables
•  Fresh fruits 
• Replace salt with flavors like vinegar

 

• Excess salt  
• Soy sauce 
• Potato 
• Cheese 
• Processed and junk foods like hot dogs, smoked foods, etc 
• Pickles 
• Instant soup 
• Salted snacks

• Warm-up regularly, it helps to prepare muscles for activity. 
• To strengthen the heart and lungs practice exercises like bicycling, jogging, brisk walk, gardening, swimming, etc. 
• For better effects, exercise for at least 5 days a week. 
• Increase the exercise duration gradually. 
• Keep the uniform pattern and sequence of exercising as follows  
• Warm-up for 5 minutes 
• Conditioning phase, work out for about 20 minutes 
• In last 5 minutes, gradually decrease the intensity of exercise 
• Do not exercise immediately after the meals; wait for about 2 hours and then start exercising. 
• Wear comfortable cloths and foot wears while exercising.