Heart Failure
Heart failure happens when the heart cannot pump enough blood and
oxygen to support other organs in your body. Heart failure is a serious
condition, but it does not mean that the heart has stopped beating.
Deaths from Heart Failure Vary by Geography
What are the risk factors for heart failure?
Certain medical conditions can increase your risk for heart
failure, including
- Coronary
artery disease (CAD) (the most common type of heart disease) and
heart attacks
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Other
Conditions Related to Heart Disease
- Valvular
Heart Disease
Unhealthy behaviors can also increase your risk for heart failure,
especially for people who have one of the conditions listed above. Unhealthy
behaviors include:
- Smoking
tobacco
- Eating foods
high in fat, cholesterol, and sodium
- Not getting
enough physical activity
- Excessive
alcohol intake
What are the symptoms of heart failure?
Common symptoms of heart failure include:
- Shortness of
breath during daily activities
- Having
trouble breathing when lying down
- Weight gain
with swelling in the feet, legs, ankles, or stomach
- Generally
feeling tired or weak
How is heart failure treated?
Early diagnosis and treatment can improve quality and length of
life for people who have heart failure. Treatment usually involves the
following:
- Taking
medicines
- Reducing
sodium in the diet
- Drinking less
liquids
- Devices that
remove excess salt and water from the blood
- Heart
transplant and other surgeries
- Getting daily
physical activity
People with heart failure also track their symptoms each day so
that they can discuss these symptoms with their health care team.
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