What is the main cause of heart failure?

 The phrase "heart failure" is often used to describe the condition when the heart becomes ineffective or is no longer able to pump enough blood throughout the body. However, there are two different types of heart failure according to the severity of the condition - one can be called congestive heart failure. It requires some sort of medical attention if it goes untreated, but it isn't always taken as seriously as true heart failure.

Your body relies on the heart’s pumping action in order to deliver oxygen with each beat throughout the body. When there isn't enough blood flow, the heart muscle will weaken drastically which may eventually lead to severe pain and in some cases with longer-term effects in regards to everyday tasks such as carrying items from one place to another. On a less serious note, sometimes these abnormal changes can result in shortness of breath or even chronic day-to-day fatigue but again, these tend to get better over time. In rare cases however people may also get a sore throat or chest pains that get worse when you cough or breath deeply which quite possibly could include a fever.

Heart failure is a serious condition and usually, there’s no cure. But many people with heart failure lead a full, enjoyable life when the condition is managed with helpful medications and healthy lifestyle changes. It’s also helpful to have the support of family and friends who understand your condition.

How the normal heart works?

The heart is a strong, muscular pump about the size of an adult fist. It pumps continuously without stopping through pulsing blood through the circulatory system.

The heart has four chambers, two on the right and two on the left:

·         Two upper chambers called atria (one is called an atrium)

·         Two lower chambers called ventricles

The right chamber takes in oxygen-exhausted blood from the remainder of the body and sends it through the right ventricle where the blood becomes oxygenated in the lungs.

Oxygen-rich blood heads out from the lungs to the left chamber, then, at that point, onto the left ventricle, which siphons it to the remainder of the body.

The heart siphons blood to the lungs and to every one of the body's tissues through a succession of profoundly coordinated compressions of the four chambers. For the heart to work appropriately, the four chambers should thump in a coordinated manner.

What is heart failure?

Heart failure is a chronic condition in which one's heart muscle can't pump enough blood to meet the body’s requirements. This means that the heart doesn't have sufficient energy or the ability to keep up with its workload.

What Causes Heart Failure?

Heart failure may result from any or all of the following: heart attack (s) (myocardial infarction) scar tissue from prior damage may interfere with the heart muscle's ability to pump normally (most common cause in the U.S.) coronary artery disease: narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle heart valve disease caused by past rheumatic fever or other infections high blood pressure infections of the heart valves and/or heart muscle (for example, endocarditis myocarditis cardiomyopathy or another disease of the heart muscle (including genetic or unknown causes) congenital heart disease or defects (present from birth) cardiac arrhythmias chronic lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease emphysema pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs) may also cause right heart failure certain medications anemia and excessive blood loss diabetes A number of medications and supplements may worsen heart failure or interfere with heart failure medicines.

What are the symptoms?

Heart failure signs and symptoms may include: Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down Fatigue and weakness Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet Rapid or irregular heartbeat Reduced ability to exercise Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged mucus Swelling of the belly area (abdomen) Very rapid weight gain from fluid buildup Nausea and lack of appetite Difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness Chest pain if heart failure is caused by a heart attack

What are the Heart Failure treatment options?

In order to avoid the chronic worsening of the disease, people with heart failure must adhere to a medical regimen that includes the appropriate medications and the frequent utilization of their primary care provider. Along with these treatments, lifestyle changes such as eating a healthier diet and learning how to best manage day-to-day stressors also significantly impact the effectiveness of this condition. Medications have been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization and slow the progression of the disease.

What are the risk factors for heart failure?

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is shrinking and thus not able to provide an adequate supply of blood and oxygen to the rest of the body. There are various risk factors that can contribute to the disease. One risk factor that can contribute to heart failure is high blood pressure. High blood pressure can damage the heart, causing it to swell from the increased pressure. Other risk factors include smoking, diabetes, family history, high cholesterol, to name.

Conclusion:

Dr. GaneshakrishnanIyer, a stalwart in the field of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery and with over 25 years of experience in the field, has performed more than 12,000 open heart surgeries in the last two and a half decades. He has been constantly involved in complex adult and pediatric cardiac surgeries. His areas of special interest are Mitral Valve Repair, Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery, Aortic Aneurysm, Aortic Valve Sparing Procedure, and surgery for Atrial Fibrillation.