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.
Certain medical habits and conditions increase the risk of heart failure.
Excess weight puts a strain on the heart and worsens other risk factors.
Increases the risk of weakening the heart muscle.
Damages blood vessels and increases cardiac workload.
Expresses additional pressure on the heart over time
Symptoms develop when the heart has trouble supplying enough blood.
Indicates a decrease in oxygen supply due to restricted blood flow.
A reduction in blood flow leads to a decrease in energy availability.
Accumulation of fluid in the legs, ankles, or abdomen.
Result of the accumulation of fluid in the lungs.
Early and accurate diagnosis helps to adapt treatment and manage progression.
Measures the heart's ejection fraction and identifies structural abnormalities.
Detect the presence of fluid in the lungs or an enlarged heart.
High levels indicate cardiac stress.
Normal
<100 pg/mL
High risk
>400 pg/mL
High levels indicate cardiac stress.
Normal
<300 pg/mL
High risk
>900 pg/mL
Management aims to improve heart function, alleviate symptoms, and prevent complications.
Pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) for severe cases.