What is Heart Failure?

Heart Failure Symptoms & Causes  Complete Guide

Heart failure is a clinical syndrome in which the heart is unable to pump or fill adequately to meet the body’s metabolic needs or can do so only at the expense of elevated filling pressures. This leads to a buildup of fluid, later causing essential organs to dysfunction. In some forms of heart failure, particularly diastolic heart failure, the heart becomes stiff and cannot fill properly, while in systolic heart failure, the heart cannot pump effectively. 

What are the Types of Heart Failure? 

There are various types of heart failure, namely: 

• Left-sided Heart Failure: It happens when the left blood-pumping chamber struggles to pump blood across the body, causing fluid buildup and blood in the lungs. 
• Right-sided Heart Failure: When the right blood-pumping chamber gets damaged and stops pumping blood, causing blood and fluid to build up in the veins. 
• High-output Heart Failure: High-output heart failure is a rare condition in which cardiac output is elevated, but systemic demands exceed supply due to underlying conditions such as severe anaemia, hyperthyroidism, or arteriovenous shunts. 
• Systolic Heart Failure: Reduced ejection fraction (<40%). 
• Diastolic Heart Failure: Preserved ejection fraction (stiff heart). 

How Common is Heart Failure? 

In India, heart failure affects approximately 1–2% of the population overall, translating to an estimated 8–10 million individuals living with the condition. 

What are the Symptoms of Heart Failure? 

When the heart is not functioning efficiently, it starts to show specific symptoms such as: 

• Shortness of breath 
• Waking up panting and feeling breathless 
• Chest pain 
• Experiencing heart palpitations 
• Feeling tired when you are active 
• Putting on weight 
• Swelling around the legs, ankles, and abdominal region 
• Need to urinate in the middle of the night while asleep 
• A fully bloated or hard stomach 
• Loss of appetite 

What Causes Heart Failure? 

Here is a list of certain conditions that cause heart failure: 

• Coronary artery disease and/or heart attack 
• High blood pressure 
• Arrhythmia 
• A body mass index (BMI) higher than 30 
• Tobacco and recreational drug use 
• Kidney disease 
• Cardiomyopathy 
• Heart issues present at birth 
• Diabetes 
• Alcohol use 
• Medications such as cancer drugs 

What are the Risk Factors Relating to Heart Failure? 

The risk factors that trigger heart failure are as follows: 

• Being above the age of 65 
• Consuming alcohol, recreational drugs or smoking 
• Having a sedentary lifestyle 
• Salty and fried food 
• Hypertension 
• Suffering from coronary artery disease 
• Risk of heart attack 
• Genetic or family history 

What are the complications due to heart failure? 

Some complications related to heart failure include: 

• Having an irregular heartbeat 
• Sudden cardiac death 
• Kidney damage 
• Liver damage 
• Malnutrition 
• Heart valve problems 
• Fluid is collecting in your lungs. 
• Pulmonary hypertension. 

How is Heart Failure Diagnosed? 

Your healthcare provider will ask you to provide your medical history along with the specific symptoms that you are experiencing. It will help them in the diagnosis process. They might also ask you about: 

• Any other health condition 
• A history of heart disease or sudden death in the family 
• If you use tobacco 
• The amount of alcohol you consume 
• If you have a history of chemotherapy or any radiation treatment 
• Prescription medication 

Heart failure results from a wide range of conditions, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, cardiomyopathies, congenital heart disease, infections, and cardiotoxic treatments, with lifestyle factors contributing but not solely responsible. 

Disclaimer:  This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Heart failure symptoms, causes, and treatment vary by individual. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis, treatment, and personalized medical guidance. 

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→ Why Do Heart Attacks Come