There are a range of organizations that can provide further information and support, regardless of the type and stage of your, or your loved one’s, heart failure (HF).

Key HF terms and definitions

Understanding key HF terms that your healthcare professional may use when you are diagnosed can help you better understand your condition and how to manage it. Here are some terms that you may hear during consultations.

HF treatments

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

These prevent an enzyme in your body from producing angiotensin II, a substance that narrows the blood vessels. Inhibiting angiotensin II makes it easier for the heart to transport blood around the body¹.

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)

These have a similar effect to ACE inhibitors, but work in a different way by blocking angiotensin II.¹

Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs)

These work in a similar way to ARBs, while also triggering the release of Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), which relaxes the blood vessels and lowers blood pressure.¹

Beta blockers

These block the release of the stress hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline, slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure.^1,2

sGC stimulators

These stimulate a critical substance in the body that is important for the healthy function of the blood vessels. sGC activity can be impaired in patients with worsening HF.³

Sinus node inhibitors/ If channel blockers

These inhibit the part of the heart responsible for heart rate (sinusnode), slowing the heartbeat.⁴

Other HF terms you may hear related to diagnosis or management

Angina

Pain or pressure in the chest.⁵

Cardiomyopathy

When the heart muscle becomes stretched, thickened or stiff.⁶

Coronary artery disease (CAD)

When the arteries that supply blood to the heart become hardened and narrowed due to a build-up of cholesterol and fatty deposits (atherosclerosis). CAD is the most common type of heart disease.⁷

Crackles

When a crackling sound is heard in the chest while breathing, due to fluid in the lungs.⁸

Co-morbidity

When a person has more than one condition.⁹

Echocardiogram (echo)

A type of scan used to examine the heart's vessels and muscle.¹⁰

Edema

Fluid retention in the body, often causing swelling.¹¹

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

A type of scan used to check the heart’s rhythm via sensors attached to the skin. The sensors monitor the electrical signals produced with each heartbeat.¹²

Ejection fraction

The amount of blood that leaves the heart chamber after each squeezing motion (contraction).¹³

Dyspnea

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.¹⁴

HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)

When the left chambers of the heart do not contract forcefully enough to transport enough blood to the rest of the body.¹⁵

Hypertension

High blood pressure, meaning the heart has to work harder to circulate blood around the body.¹⁶

Hypertrophy

Enlargement or thickening of the heart muscle which can make it harder for the heart to circulate blood.¹⁷

Hypotension

Low blood pressure.¹⁸

Myocardium

The middle layer of the walls of the heart, made up of muscle.¹⁹

Syncope

Fainting or passing out due to lack of blood flow to the brain. Pronounced “sin ko pea”.²⁰

Valvular heart disease

Damage to one of the four heart valves, inhibiting the direction and force of blood flow.²¹

Worsening HF event

When HF symptoms escalate and additional treatment is required.²²

Reference list:

• Ponikowski P, et al. 2016 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure. European journal of Heart Failure. 2016;37: 2129-2200.
• Yancy CW, Januzzi JL, Allen LA, et al; for the American College of Cardiology Task Force on Expert Consensus Decision Pathways Writing Committee. 2017 ACC expert consensus decision pathway for optimization of heart failure treatment: answers to 10 pivotal issues about heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a report of the American College of Cardiology Task Force on Expert Consensus Decision Pathways. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018;71(2): 201-230.
• Gheorghiade M, Marti CN, Sabbah HN, et al. Soluble guanylate cyclase: a potential therapeutic target for heart failure. Heart Fail Rev. 2013;18(2):123-134.
• Heart Failure Matters. Sinus Node Inhibitors. https://www.heartfailurematters.org/en_GB/What-can-your-doctor- do/Sinus-node-inhibitors. Accessed November 2020.
• NHS. Angina. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/angina/. Accessed November 2020.
• NHS. Cardiomyopathy. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cardiomyopathy/#:~:text=Cardiomyopathy%20is%20a%20general%20term,pump%20blood%20around%20the%20body. Accessed November 2020.
• Mayo Clinic. Coronary Artery Disease. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronary-artery-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350613. Accessed November 2020.
• Healthline. What You Should Know About Bibasilar Crackles. https://www.healthline.com/health/bibasilar-crackles#TOC_TITLE_HDR_1. Accessed November 2020.
• Valderas J M, et al. Defining Comorbidity: Implications for Understanding Health and Health Services. Annals of Family Medicine. 2009. 357-363.
• National Health Service, NHS. Echocardiogram. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/echocardiogram/. Accessed October 2020.
• Mayo Clinic. Edema. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/edema/symptoms-causes/syc-20366493. Accessed November 2020.
• National Health Service, NHS. Electrocardiogram. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/electrocardiogram/. Accessed October 2020.
• American Heart Association. Ejection Fraction Heart Failure Measurement. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/diagnosing-heart-failure/ejection-fraction-heart-failure-measurement. Accessed November 2020.
• Healthline. Dyspnea. https://www.healthline.com/health/dyspnea. Accessed November 2020.
• American Heart Association. Types of Heart Failure. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/what-is-heart-failure/types-of-heart-failurey. Accessed November 2020.
• British Heart Foundation, BHF. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension). https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/risk-factors/high-blood-pressure. Accessed October 2020.
• Mayo Clinic. Left Ventricular Hypertrophy. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/left-ventricular-hypertrophy/symptoms-causes syc-20374314#:~:text=Left%20ventricular%20hypertrophy%20is% 20enlargement,left%20ventricle%20to%20work%20harder. Accessed November 2020.
• NHS. Low blood pressure (hypotension). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/low-blood-pressure-hypotension/. Accessed November 2020.
• American Heart Association. Myocardium. https://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Encyclopedia/Heart-Encyclopedia_UCM_445084_ContentIndex.jsp?title=myocardium. Accessed November 2020.
• American Heart Association. Syncope (Fainting). https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/symptoms-diagnosis--monitoring-of-arrhythmia/syncope fainting#:~:text=Syncope%20is%20a% 20temporary%20loss,enough%20oxygen%20to%20the%20brain. AccessedNovember 2020.
• Mayo Clinic. Heart Failure – Symptoms & Causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-failure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373142. Accessed November 2020.
• Butler J, et al. Clinical Course of Patients With Worsening Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2019; 73(8): 935-944.