Heart Failure

Heart failure also known as congestive heart failure ,means the heart is not pumping effectively. Heart failure can be chronic or may start suddenly (acute).

Diagnosis and Treatment of Aortic Stenosis

Left sided
Right sided
Systolic heart failure
Diastolic heart failure

Causes

Coronary artery disease due to blockages in arteries
Cardiomyopathy -damage due to decreased blood flow, infections, alcohol and drug abuse.
Conditions that overwork the heart like high blood pressure, valve disease, thyroid disease, kidney disease, diabetes, or heart defects since birth and several diseases or conditions are present at once.

Symptoms

- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue and weakness
- Swelling (edema) of legs, ankles and feet.
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
- Reduced ability to exercise.
- Persistent cough or wheezing .
- Increased need to urinate at night
- Swelling of the abdomen(ascites).
- Rapid weight gain from fluid retention.
- Lack of appetite and nausea.
- Sudden , severe shortness of breath and coughing up pink ,foamy mucus.

The above symptoms can overlap with other heart and lung conditions but if one experiences any of these above one must seek help immediately.

Treatment

Non pharmacological- lifestyle modification
Pharmacological
Device related- CRTP(Cardiac resynchronization therapy), AICD and finally heart transplant option can be looked at.

Complications

Kidney damage – heart failure can reduce blood flow to your kidneys if untreated
Heart valve problems- the heart valves may not function properly if the heart is enlarged and the pressure is high due to failure.
Heart rhythm problems
Liver damage