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.

Human heart model. Consult primary care for heart failure with Side Health.

Types

There are two main types of heart failure.

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Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

(also called systolic heart failure) means that your heart is too weak to squeeze like it should.

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Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

(also called diastolic heart failure) means that your heart is too stiff and therefore unable to refill with blood like it should.

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:

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Electrocardiogram (EKG)

may be ordered to see if there are any abnormalities of your heart.

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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.

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Blood tests

may be ordered for heart failure and/or to assess for other related conditions. 
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Chest X-ray

can show the current condition of your heart and lungs and if there is any fluid buildup. 
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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.   
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Treatment

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!