Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure (CHF), is a condition in which the heart cannot (fails to) pump enough blood to organs and tissues. One side of the heart (or both sides) cannot force enough blood out, so blood backs up. Congestion, or abnormal buildup of fluid, occurs in tissues or organs, and blood doesn’t move well through the vascular system. Show If the left side of the heart fails, the system on the right side becomes congested. The congested side of the heart must work harder and may also fail. The same thing can happen on the right side. What Causes HF?Diseases that stress heart muscle can cause HF. These conditions include high blood pressure, heart attack, heart muscle and valve diseases, infections, arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms), anemia, thyroid disease, pulmonary disease, and too much fluid in the body. What Are the Symptoms of HF?When the left side of the heart fails, fluid leaks into the lungs. Fatigue (tiredness), difficulty breathing (especially at night when lying down), coughing, or shortness of breath can result. In right-sided heart failure, the liver swells, which may cause pain in the abdomen (belly). Legs and feet may swell also. How Is HF Diagnosed?A physical examination will show changes, such as swelling in the legs or crackling breath sounds, indicating excess fluid in the lungs. A chest x-ray can show an enlarged heart and signs of fluid accumulation into the lungs. An echocardiogram (a test using sound waves to show the moving heart) can also reveal heart size and disease of the heart muscle or valve problems. Heart failure is a condition in which the heart fails to function properly. The terms "heart failure" and "congestive heart failure (CHF)" don't mean that the heart has actually "failed" or stopped but mean one or more chambers of the heart "fail" to keep up with the volume of blood flowing through them. Heart failure is brought on by a variety of underlying diseases and health problems. Your condition may involve the left side, the right side or both sides of the heart. Each side has two chambers:
Any one of these four chambers may not be able to keep up with the volume of blood flowing through it. Two types of heart dysfunction can lead to heart failure, including:
The left side of the heart is crucial for normal heart function and is usually where heart failure begins. The left atrium receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and pumps it into the left ventricle, the heart's largest and strongest pump, which is responsible for supplying blood to the body. After it has circulated through the body, blood returns to the right atrium and then travels to the right ventricle, which pumps it into the lungs to be replenished with oxygen. When the right side loses pumping power, blood can back up in the veins attempting to return blood to the heart. Right heart failure may occur alone but is usually a result of left-sided failure. When the left ventricle fails, fluid backs up in the lungs. In turn, pressure from excess fluid can damage the heart's right side as it works to pump blood into the lungs. Heart failure usually is a chronic, or long-term, condition that gradually gets worse. By the time most people notice and see a doctor about their symptoms, the heart has been "failing," little by little, for a long time. This is a good reason to have regular health checkups. During a routine physical examination, your doctor may detect signs of heart failure long before you experience symptoms. Heart failure rarely occurs suddenly except after a major heart attack, severe heart valve problem or period of seriously high blood pressure. SymptomsPeople who experience any of the symptoms associated with heart failure, even if they are mild, should consult a doctor as soon as possible. Once a person is diagnosed, it's important to keep track of symptoms and report any sudden changes. Typical signs of heart failure include:
These symptoms occur as the heart loses strength and the ability to pumped blood throughout the body. In turn, blood can back up and cause "congestion" in other body tissues, which is why heart failure sometimes is called "congestive." In addition, excess fluid may pool in the failing portion of the heart and the lungs. At the same time, the heart as well as other parts of the body attempt to adapt and make up for the deteriorating pumping ability. For example:
Although the body's ability to compensate for the failing heart initially is beneficial, in the long run these adaptations contribute to the most serious cases of heart failure. For example:
Eventually, the heart and body are unable to keep up with the added stress. If patients wait until they experience obvious symptoms of heart failure before seeing a doctor, the condition already may be life-threatening. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor as soon as possible. Why do you get breathless with heart failure?Heart Failure: The shortness of breath in heart failure is caused by the decreased ability of the heart to fill and empty, producing elevated pressures in the blood vessels around the lung.
What does shortness of breath from heart failure feel like?Shortness of breath is felt in your chest and can manifest as: Difficulty catching your breath. Feeling a need to breathe more quickly or deeply. Not feeling able to take a full, deep breath.
How does heart failure affect the respiratory system?When the heart is not able to pump efficiently, blood can back up into the veins that take blood through the lungs. As the pressure in these blood vessels increases, fluid is pushed into the air spaces (alveoli) in the lungs. This fluid reduces normal oxygen movement through the lungs.
What stage of heart failure is shortness of breath?Stage 2 of Congestive Heart Failure
Stage two of congestive heart failure will produce symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations after you participate in physical activity. As with stage one, lifestyle changes and certain medication can help improve your quality of life.
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