Heart Failure(Congestive Heart Failure; Chronic Heart Failure; Left Ventricular Dysfunction; Left Ventricular Failure)
by
Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD DefinitionWith heart failure, the heart is unable to pump the right amount of blood throughout the body. This causes blood to back up in the veins. Depending on which part of the heart is affected, this can lead to a buildup of excess fluid in the lungs, feet, and elsewhere. Heart failure can worsen with time, which may lead to the use of many treatments. Because of this, doctors are aggressive in treating heart failure to try to prevent it from worsening.
CausesThe leading causes of heart failure are: Other common causes include:
Other less common causes include:
Risk FactorsHeart failure is more common in older adults, men, and people of African American descent. Factors that increase your chances of getting heart failure include:
SymptomsSymptoms include:
DiagnosisYou will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Your bodily fluids may be tested. This can be done with:
Your heart may be examined. This can be done with:
TreatmentTreatment of Condition Causing the SymptomsHeart failure may be caused by another condition. Treating this condition should improve your heart failure or prevent it from getting worse. Lifestyle ChangesThe following lifestyle changes can help treat the symptoms of heart failure and slow down its progression:
MedicationsYour doctor will most likely prescribe a combination of medicines, such as:
You may also be given medications to:
Your doctor may advise you to take supplements, such as coenzyme Q10. Follow your doctor's advice regarding taking any supplements. If heart failure worsens, you may need medical devices to help your heart pump blood properly. Note : Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen can worsen your condition. Talk to your doctor about other medicines you may be able to take. PreventionThe best way to prevent heart failure is to reduce your risk of:
Take these steps to reduce your risk:
RESOURCES:American Heart Association http://www.heart.org Heart Failure Association of America http://www.hfsa.org CANADIAN RESOURCES:Health Canada https://www.canada.ca Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada http://www.heartandstroke.ca References:Congestive heart failure and congenital defects. American Heart Association website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed September 14, 2020. Explore heart failure. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at:
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hf. Accessed September 14, 2020.
Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.dynamed.... Accessed September 14, 2020.
Lifestyle changes for heart failure. American Heart Association website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed September 14, 2020. Paterna S, Parrinello G, et al. Medium term effects of different dosage of diuretic, sodium, and fluid administration on neurohormonal and clinical outcome in patients with recently compensated heart failure.
Am J Cardiol.
2009;103(1):93-102. Physical changes to report. American Heart Association website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed September 14, 2020. Yancy CW, Jessup M, et al. 2013 ACCF/AHA guideline for the management of heart failure: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013;62(16):e147-e239.
4/2/2014 DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T905359/Choosing-Wisely: Updated July 23, 2015.
1/18/2017 DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.dynamed...: Emdin CA, Odutayo A, et al. Meta-analysis of anxiety as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Am J Cardiol. 2016;118(4):511-519.
Last reviewed September 2020 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Michael J. Fucci, DO, FACC Last Updated: 9/15/2020 |
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