Heart failure refers to a complex situation where a patient's heart is weak and cannot pump enough blood to the various organs of the body to maintain a normal function. The usual causes of heart failure are prior heart attack or severe blockages in the arteries supplying blood to the heart, untreated heart valve diseases, uncontrolled blood pressures for a long period of time, or a primary problem of the heart muscle itself.
The symptoms are usually gradual in onset, and include easy fatigability, shortness of breath on exertion, shortness of breath on lying down, swelling of feet and lethargy.
When a patient reports to a doctor with symptoms suggestive of heart failure, the strategy is to treat the heart failure as well as to identify the underlying condition and make an attempt to treat that as well. Various tests help in identification of the underlying cause, and include an echocardiogram, a myocardial perfusion scan (commonly known as Thallium scan), and a coronary angiography. If the underlying condition which has caused the heart failure can be cured completely, it is possible that the heart function may return to normal and the patient may lead a completely healthy life.
Long-term management of heart failure includes medicines for heart failure as well as to control risk factors of coronary heart disease. Lifestyle modifications also play an important part in the long-term management, and include a healthy diet, avoid excessive use of salt, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking or use of tobacco in any other form.
The symptoms are usually gradual in onset, and include easy fatigability, shortness of breath on exertion, shortness of breath on lying down, swelling of feet and lethargy.
When a patient reports to a doctor with symptoms suggestive of heart failure, the strategy is to treat the heart failure as well as to identify the underlying condition and make an attempt to treat that as well. Various tests help in identification of the underlying cause, and include an echocardiogram, a myocardial perfusion scan (commonly known as Thallium scan), and a coronary angiography. If the underlying condition which has caused the heart failure can be cured completely, it is possible that the heart function may return to normal and the patient may lead a completely healthy life.
Long-term management of heart failure includes medicines for heart failure as well as to control risk factors of coronary heart disease. Lifestyle modifications also play an important part in the long-term management, and include a healthy diet, avoid excessive use of salt, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking or use of tobacco in any other form.