Take a closer look at what happens
to the heart in heart failure
Take a closer look at what happens
to the heart in heart failure
Take a closer look at what happens
to the heart in heart failure
Heart failure (HF) is a condition where the heart is not functioning as it should and needs to work extra hard in order to keep blood and oxygen flowing throughout the body.
Although HF is a serious and progressive condition that cannot be cured, there are treatment options available. It's important to remember that a diagnosis does not mean your heart will suddenly stop working.
There are lots of things you and your healthcare professional can do to control the condition, helping you to stay out of hospital, live longer and to continue doing the things you enjoy. Relatives and caregivers can also support you.
What happens in HF: A closer look
The heart is divided into chambers. These chambers work together to transport blood around the body, ensuring oxygen and nutrients are circulated.
In HF, the contracting or squeezing motion of the heart's chambers doesn't function properly. This means the heart isn't able to transport blood around the body as well as it should.
This occurs due to damage to the heart muscle, which can be the result of:
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Coronary artery disease (CAD), when plaque builds up in the arteries that supply the blood to the heart muscle.
HF can also be triggered by other conditions, such as:
- Diabetes
- Valvular heart disease, when there is damage to one of the heart valves, inhibiting the direction and force of blood flow.
- Cardiomyopathy, when the heart muscle is damaged. This can be caused by the] effects of treatments for other diseases, such as chemotherapy for certain cancers.
In HF, less blood is circulated around the body, causing symptoms such as chronic coughing and wheezing, shortness of breath, swelling in the legs and ankles (fluid retention), dizziness and reduced ability to exercise.
Sometimes, symptoms may worsen and mean you need additional treatment. In some cases, this can lead to a stay in hospital. Healthcare professionals may refer to escalating symptoms like these as a ‘worsening HF event’.
Chronic coughing and wheezing
Shortness of breath
Swelling (fluid retention)
Dizziness
Reduced ability to exercise
If you have been diagnosed with HF and are coming to terms with how to live with the condition, it’s important to remember that you are not alone.
HF affects more than 60 million people worldwide and this number is expected to increase in the coming years.
Managing your heart failure and symptoms
The good news is, there are many treatment options now available along with lifestyle changes that can help you manage your HF and its symptoms, avoid the need to go to hospital and continue doing the things that you enjoy.