Heart failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. It is often the result of other conditions such as hypertension or coronary heart disease, which causes the heart muscle to weaken or harden. Chronic heart failure can seriously affect quality of life and increase the risk of mortality.

Predisposition

Certain medical habits and conditions increase the risk of heart failure.

Obesity

Excess weight puts a strain on the heart and worsens other risk factors.

Sedentary lifestyle

Increases the risk of weakening the heart muscle.

Smoking

Damages blood vessels and increases cardiac workload.

Hypertension

Expresses additional pressure on the heart over time

Symptoms

Symptoms develop when the heart has trouble supplying enough blood.

Shortness of breath

Indicates a decrease in oxygen supply due to restricted blood flow.

Fatigue

A reduction in blood flow leads to a decrease in energy availability.

Swelling (edema)

Accumulation of fluid in the legs, ankles, or abdomen.

Persistent cough

Result of the accumulation of fluid in the lungs.

Diagnostic

Early and accurate diagnosis helps to adapt treatment and manage progression.

Echocardiogram

Measures the heart's ejection fraction and identifies structural abnormalities.

Chest X-rays

Detect the presence of fluid in the lungs or an enlarged heart.

BNP levels

High levels indicate cardiac stress.

Normal
‍ <100 pg/mL

High risk
‍ >400 pg/mL

NT-proBNP levels

High levels indicate cardiac stress.

Normal
<300 pg/mL

High risk
>900 pg/mL

Therapy

Management aims to improve heart function, alleviate symptoms, and prevent complications.

Lifestyle changes
  • Sodium restriction to <2,000 mg/day to reduce fluid retention.
  • Weight management and regular physical activity.
Advanced therapies

Pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) for severe cases.

Medications
  • Beta-blockers: Reduce heart rate and improve heart function.
  • ACE inhibitors: Lower blood pressure and reduce the workload on the heart.
  • Diuretics: Help reduce fluid buildup.