HEART FAILURE - CAUSES; TYPES; SYMPTOMS |FINDYOURSELF

August 04, 2019 0 Comments

Heart failure describes the clinical syndrome that develops when the heart cannot maintain adequate output, or can do so only at the expense of elevated ventricular filling pressure. 

In mild to moderate forms of heart failure, cardiac output is normal at rest and only becomes impaired when the metabolic demand increases during exercise or some other form of stress.

·       MI

·       Myocarditis/ cardiomyopathy

·       Progressive ventricular dilatation

·       Hypertension,

·       aortic stenosis

·       Pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary valve

·       stenosis

·       Mitral stenosis

·       Ventricular septal defect

·       Arrhythmia

·       Cardiac tamponade

·       Pulmonary embolism

The left side of the heart comprises the functional unit of the LA and LV, together with the mitral and aortic valves; the right heart comprises the RA, RV, and tricuspid and pulmonary valves.

• Left-sided heart failure. There is a reduction in left ventricular output and an increase in left atrial and pulmonary venous pressure. An acute increase in left atrial pressure causes pulmonary congestion or pulmonary oedema; a more gradual increase in left atrial pressure, as occurs with mitral stenosis, leads to reflex pulmonary vasoconstriction, which protects the patient from pulmonary oedema. This increases pulmonary vascular resistance and causes pulmonary hypertension, which can, in turn, impair right ventricular function.

• Right-sided heart failure. There is a reduction in right ventricular output and an increase in right atrial and systemic venous pressure. Causes of isolated right heart failure include chronic lung disease , pulmonary embolism and pulmonary valvular stenosis.

• Biventricular heart failure. Failure of the left and right heart may develop because the disease process, such as dilated cardiomyopathy or ischaemic heart disease, affects both ventricles or because disease of the left heart leads to chronic elevation of the left atrial pressure, pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure.

·         Shortness of breath (dyspnea) when you exert yourself or when you lie down

·         Fatigue and weakness

·         Swelling (edema) in your legs, ankles and feet

·         Rapid or irregular heartbeat

·         Reduced ability to exercise

·         Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged phlegm

·         Increased need to urinate at night

·         Swelling of your abdomen (ascites)

·         Very rapid weight gain from fluid retention

·         Lack of appetite and nausea

·         Difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness

·         Sudden, severe shortness of breath and coughing up pink, foamy mucus

·         Chest pain if your heart failure is caused by a heart attack

·         Chest pain

·         Fainting or severe weakness

·         Rapid or irregular heartbeat associated with shortness of breath, chest pain or fainting

·         Sudden, severe shortness of breath and coughing up pink, foamy mucus

·       Renal failure

·       Hypokalaemia

·       Hyperkalaemia

·       Hyponatraemia

·       Impaired liver function

·       Thromboembolism

·       Serum urea, creatinine and electrolytes, haemoglobin,

·       thyroid function test

·       ECG

·       chest X-ray

·       Brain natriureticpeptide (BNP) is elevated in heart failure and is a markerof risk

·       Echocardiography

·       identify patients with long-term drug therapy[ace inhibitors]

• Explanation of nature of disease, treatment and self-help strategies

• Good general nutrition and weight reduction for the obese

• Avoidance of high-salt foods and added salt, especially for patients with severe congestive heart failure

• Moderation or elimination of alcohol consumption. Alcohol induced cardiomyopathy requires abstinence

• Cessation

• Regular moderate aerobic exercise within limits of symptoms

• Consider influenza and pneumococcal vaccination

·         High blood pressure. Your heart works harder than it has to if your blood pressure is high.

·         Coronary artery disease. Narrowed arteries may limit your heart's supply of oxygen-rich blood, resulting in weakened heart muscle.

·         Heart attack. A heart attack is a form of coronary disease that occurs suddenly. Damage to your heart muscle from a heart attack may mean your heart can no longer pump as well as it should.

·         Diabetes. Having diabetes increases your risk of high blood pressure and coronary artery disease.

·         Some diabetes medications. The diabetes drugs rosiglitazone (Avandia) and pioglitazone (Actos) have been found to increase the risk of heart failure in some people. Don't stop taking these medications on your own, though. If you're taking them, discuss with your doctor whether you need to make any changes.

·         Certain medications. Some medications may lead to heart failure or heart problems. Medications that may increase the risk of heart problems include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); certain anesthesia medications; some anti-arrhythmic medications; certain medications used to treat high blood pressure, cancer, blood conditions, neurological conditions, psychiatric conditions, lung conditions, urological conditions, inflammatory conditions and infections; and other prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Don't stop taking any medications on your own. If you have questions about medications you're taking, discuss with your doctor whether he or she recommends any changes.

·         Sleep apnea. The inability to breathe properly while you sleep at night results in low blood oxygen levels and increased risk of abnormal heart rhythms. Both of these problems can weaken the heart.

·         Congenital heart defects. Some people who develop heart failure were born with structural heart defects.

·         Valvular heart disease. People with valvular heart disease have a higher risk of heart failure.

·         Viruses. A viral infection may have damaged your heart muscle.

·         Alcohol use. Drinking too much alcohol can weaken heart muscle and lead to heart failure.

·         Tobacco use. Using tobacco can increase your risk of heart failure.

·         Obesity. People who are obese have a higher risk of developing heart failure.

·         Irregular heartbeats. These abnormal rhythms, especially if they are very frequent and fast, can weaken the heart muscle and cause heart failure.