Heart failure is when the heart cannot pump enough blood, caused by chronic high blood pressure, inflammation, and high cholesterol. Symptoms include fatigue, coughing, and shortness of breath. Chronic heart failure develops slowly, while acute heart failure is sudden and requires emergency treatment. Prescription drugs and surgery can help manage the condition.
Heart failure is a medical term that refers to a type of heart failure in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood around the body. The most common causes of the condition are chronic high blood pressure, inflammation of heart tissue, and high cholesterol. A person may experience chronic heart failure, in which symptoms of fatigue, coughing, and shortness of breath persist over time, or acute heart failure, in which severe chest pain and breathing problems suddenly occur. Heart failure is generally considered an emergency condition and an individual should see a doctor immediately when they begin to notice symptoms.
Most cases of heart failure develop slowly and get worse over time. Chronic conditions can be the result of high blood pressure, a buildup of cholesterol in the arteries, a history of heart attacks, or a congenital heart defect. Acute cases can occur due to a severe bout of pneumonia, heart attack, or arrhythmia. Allergic reactions, viruses or sudden untreated blood clots can also affect the functioning of the heart and lead to failure.
Acute cases of heart failure are usually evident right away. A person might experience severe chest pain and experience shortness of breath, numbness on one or both sides of the body, and sudden swelling in the extremities that results from fluid buildup. An individual with chronic heart problems typically begins to notice feelings of fatigue and weakness, a reduced ability to exercise, worsening breathing problems, and loss of appetite. Without treatment, both chronic and acute conditions can lead to permanent health problems or even death.
Prescription drugs are usually given to patients with chronic heart failure to help relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of heart attacks. A popular medicine for heart failure is called an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, and it works by dilating blood vessels to improve blood flow and ease the strain on the heart. A patient may also be prescribed beta blockers to slow and stabilize the heart rate or other medications specifically designed to relieve underlying conditions such as cholesterol buildup.
Someone suffering from acute heart failure may need emergency surgery to prevent total heart failure. Doctors usually first try to stabilize the heart with medications, then surgically unclog the congested vessels or do an arterial bypass procedure. If the heart has become so weak that it is totally unable to function, a surgeon might implant a defibrillator or an artificial heart pump to make sure blood continues to flow properly. In severe circumstances, a heart transplant may be needed to save the patient’s life.
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