Understanding Heart Failure
Heart Failure
An estimated 6.2 million adults in the United States have heart failure. Side Health™ is here to provide you with information on its definition, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments.
Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure (CHF), happens when your heart does not pump blood properly. This often causes blood to back up and fluid to build up in different areas of the body. Conditions that damage the heart are typically what causes heart failure to occur.
Types
There are two main types of heart failure.
Primary
This is the most common cause of hypertension. It is not related to another medical condition and develops slowly over the years.
Secondary
This is the most common cause of hypertension. It is not related to another medical condition and develops slowly over the years.
Causes
Heart failure is most often caused by another condition that affects the heart. Some examples of these include:
Coronary artery disease
High blood pressure
Heart valve problems
Symptoms
Shortness of breath when lying down or being active
Weakness and fatigue
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Swelling in your ankles, legs, or belly
Nausea and lack of appetite
When to visit your doctor?
Visit your doctor if you think you may be experiencing symptoms of heart failure. Call 911 if you experience the following symptoms:
Severe shortness of breath
Chest pain that lasts longer than 15 minutes and is not relieved with rest
Severe weakness or fainting
Diagnosis
Your doctor will review your medical history, discuss your symptoms, and perform a physical examination. There may be additional tests order for further evaluation of your condition including:
Electrocardiogram (EKG) may be ordered to see if there are any abnormalities of your heart.
Echocardiogram (Echo) is an ultrasound for your heart that will look at the chambers and valves of your heart as well as how your heart is pumping.
Blood tests may be ordered for heart failure and/or to assess for other related conditions.
Chest X-ray can show the current condition of your heart and lungs and if there is any fluid buildup.
Stress tests are completed to assess your heart functions with physical activity to find out if your heart is functioning properly. You may be asked to walk on a treadmill while connected to an ECG machine to monitor your heart under stress.
Treatments
Treatment for heart failure will vary, but medication is commonly prescribed for management. It is important to take medications every day and monitor your weight daily due to risk of fluid retention with heart failure. There are some devices and procedures that may also need to be performed in some cases of heart failure.
Prevention
It is important to focus on preventing conditions that may cause heart failure. Some preventative measures include:
Avoiding smoking
Being physically active
Reducing stress levels
Eating heart-healthy diet
Following up with your doctor for regular health screenings
Remote Patient Monitoring
Remote patient monitoring devices allow doctors to obtain vitals like blood pressure, weight, and oxygen levels in real-time which can be very helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure.
Contact us today to get treatment and learn more about these devices!
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