Heart failure is a health problem characterized by deterioration in body functions as a result of the heart's inability to pump enough blood to the body.
What is Heart Failure?
The heart pumps some blood to the body every time it contracts, and it is vital for life. It provides oxygenation and nutrition of important tissues and organs. In the presence of heart failure due to various reasons, the heart cannot pump the amount of blood that the body needs. As a result, fluid accumulation occurs in different parts of the body, especially in the lungs.
Heart failure, which can develop acutely, can also be seen chronically. Heart failure, which indicates that the heart does not contract with sufficient force or is not filled with sufficient blood, mostly develops as a result of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, heart attack, myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation), hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes. With the early recognition of heart failure, which is a serious health problem, the person can lead a long and quality life. However, if the disease is not treated, it can have serious life-threatening consequences. Before moving on to heart failure treatment methods, "What is heart failure?" It is necessary to answer the question.
Although the disorder is more common in men, the mortality (death) rate is higher in women if it is not treated. Heart failure can affect both sides of the heart. The heart, which cannot deliver enough blood to all tissues of the body, enlarges due to this situation. In addition, the heart tries to pump the blood needed by the body by contracting faster than it should be. As a result, blood vessels narrow; tissues and organs cannot be adequately nourished. With the deterioration of the working order of the heart, permanent damage to tissues and organs may occur.
Acute or chronic heart failure occurs due to damage or weakening of the heart due to different reasons. Hardening of the blood pumping chambers, defined as the hardening of the ventricles, often leads to heart failure. Before moving on to the causes of heart failure, "What are the symptoms of heart failure?" It is necessary to answer the question.
What are the Symptoms of Heart Failure?
Symptoms due to heart failure, disease progresses intensifies as it goes. Common heart failure symptoms can be listed as follows:
Dyspnea (Dyspnea), Cough, Weakness and fatigue, Loss of appetite, Nausea, Increased need for urine at night, Presence of white or pink sputum, Dizziness and feeling dizzy Edema in the legs and ankles, Irregular (Arrhythmia) or fast heartbeat, Ascites (Swelling of the abdomen), Sudden weight changes, Sleepiness, Prominence of neck veins, Difficulty concentrating, Anxiety and depression.
What are the Causes of Heart Failure?
Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood. Insufficient pumping function can be caused by weakness in the heart muscle or the inability of the heart muscle to relax properly. Often the loss of strength in the heart muscle is accompanied by the inability of the heart muscle to relax. Especially in people with diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and in elderly patients, the inability of the heart muscle to relax can be seen alone.
Heart failure can also be seen due to current or past illnesses. In other words, heart failure occurs when the heart is weakened or damaged. Between every two beats of the heart, the heart must be filled with blood at full capacity. Failure to do so can lead to heart failure. Genetic factors have an important place in the formation of heart failure. People with a family history of heart failure are at higher risk of developing this disease. Some of the diseases that cause heart failure can be listed as follows:
Heart Attack
The heart attack, which is one of the diseases that cause heart failure, occurs when one of the vessels feeding the heart is completely blocked. In this situation, which leads to the inability of oxygen and nutrients to reach the heart muscle, some of the heart muscle cells die. The remaining healthy muscle tissue has to contract more in order to pump the blood needed by the body. causes a decrease in the amount of blood containing This condition, which causes heart failure and is characterized by chest pain, can be prevented by simple measures such as lifestyle changes.
Hi pertension
In the presence of hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, the heart needs to work harder to ensure blood circulation. Uncontrolled hypertension increases the risk of heart failure.
Heart Valve Diseases
Disease in one of the heart valves prevents the heart from functioning properly. In this case, the heart works harder to pump blood in the right direction. Heart valve diseases are a serious condition that causes heart failure. br>
Myocarditis
Myocarditis caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, autoimmune diseases and pharmacological agents is also known as heart muscle inflammation among the people. The disease, which is characterized by the deterioration of heart muscle cells due to inflammation, can lead to heart failure.
Congenital Heart Diseases
Many of congenital heart diseases, which can also be defined as congenital heart diseases, cause structural anomalies. . These diseases, which cause the heart to slow down or the blood flow to deteriorate, can lead to heart failure. In lung diseases, the person may have edema in the feet and swelling in the abdomen. The right side of the heart is mostly affected when heart failure occurs due to insufficient blood purification.
How to Diagnose Heart Failure?
After the person who shows signs of heart failure applies to the physician, the physician takes the patient's detailed medical history and performs a physical examination. Performs echocardiography (ECHO) for the evaluation of heart functions. With this imaging device in which sound waves are used, the heart is displayed in detail. Possible damage or structural defects are detected.
Some additional tests may be required for the differential diagnosis of heart failure. other heart and After exclusion of lung diseases, a diagnosis of heart failure is made. It is recommended that people who are diagnosed should start treatment quickly.
How to Treat Heart Failure?
The priority in the treatment of heart disease is to stop tissue damage, protect the person's current health status and eliminate symptoms that affect daily life. It is important to eliminate the focal disease that leads to heart failure. Recommendations are made by reviewing the person's eating habits and lifestyle.
Heart failure can be treated with medication or surgical methods, depending on the current state of the disease. Medicines that help improve heart functions also provide relief from symptoms that negatively affect a person's life, such as shortness of breath. In more severe cases, surgical intervention is required. In addition to surgical methods such as coronary bypass surgery, heart valve replacement or repair, methods such as stenting, pacemaker insertion and heart transplantation can be followed for the treatment of heart failure. It is an extremely serious health problem. Thanks to early diagnosis, the damage caused by the disease on the heart can be minimized. For this reason, regular heart health checks should be made and people who are diagnosed should take their medications in the dose and order determined by the physician. Necessary checks should not be neglected.
You can ask the expert team of Group Florence Nightingale Hospitals about the issues you are wondering about heart failure and ask for suggestions regarding your question. To reach us, you can call 444 0 436.
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