Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, occurs when the heart muscle fails to pump enough blood as it normally should. In some condition it fails to fill enough to meet the body requirement.
Whenever the heart does not pump sufficient blood, it often leads to blood backing up, causing fluid build-up in the lungs and resulting in shortness of breath. Certain heart conditions, such as high blood pressure and narrowed arteries, can weaken the heart and reduce blood circulation, ultimately leading to heart failure.
However, with proper diagnosis and treatment, one can overcome these issues and enjoy a longer and healthier life. In severe cases of heart failure, extensive treatments like heart transplants, left ventricular assist device or pacemakers may be necessary.
What are the Symptoms of Heart Failure?
Heart failure symptoms do not occur suddenly. Gradually, a person may experience the following symptoms:
- Breathlessness which could be on exertion and sometimes at rest
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Reduced ability to exercise
- Swelling in the legs, feet, or ankles
- Swelling in the abdominal area
- Orthopnoea that is feeling out of breath when lying flat.
- Difficulty concentrating
- Chest pain if heart failure is caused by a heart attack
- Rapid weight gain from fluid build-up
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Persistent coughing with a tinge of colour due to blood
What are the Causes of Heart Failure?
Heart failure is typically caused by a weakened or stiffened heart. When the heart is weakened or damaged, its chambers tend to stretch and enlarge, resulting in reduced blood pumping capacity. On the other hand, if heart failure is caused by stiffness in the heart chambers, they fail to adequately fill between each heartbeat. Most often, heart failure is caused by another medical condition that damages your heart. Additionally, heavy alcohol and drug use can sometimes damage the heart muscle, leading to decreased blood pumping within the heart chambers.
Below are some of the major causes of heart failure -
- Coronary Artery Disease and Heart Attack - Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of heart failure, characterised by the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries, resulting in arterial blockage. This leads to reduced blood flow and increases the risk of a heart attack. Damage to the heart from a heart attack disrupts normal heart function.
- Heart Valve Disease - The smooth flow of blood in the heart relies on properly functioning valves. When the valves are not working correctly, the heart has to exert more effort to pump blood, leading to damage and progressive weakening of the heart over time. Sometimes infection of valve lead to acute heart failure.
- Cardiomyopathy- Cardiomyopathy refers to problems with your heart muscle that can make it harder for your heart to pump blood. There are many types and causes of cardiomyopathy, and it can affect people of all ages
- High Blood Pressure - High blood pressure forces the heart to work harder than usual. Over time, this strain weakens and stiffens the heart, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively.
- Myocarditis (Inflammation in the Heart Muscle) - Myocarditis, often triggered by the viral infection, can result in left-sided heart failure. It is characterised by inflammation of the heart muscle, which can affect its pumping function.
- Arrhythmias - Irregular heartbeats, known as arrhythmias, can cause the heart to beat too fast, putting additional strain on the heart. This increased workload can eventually lead to heart failure.
- Congenital Heart Defect - Congenital heart defects occur when a baby is born with certain heart conditions, including improperly formed valves and arteries. These defects can impose excessive workload on the heart, leading to fatigue over time and potentially causing heart failure.
Other diseases, including diabetes, HIV, iron or protein build-up, and overactive or underactive thyroid, among others, may contribute to the development of heart failure. Additionally, allergic reactions, severe infections, certain medications, blood clots in the lungs, or any systemic illness can also be potential causes of heart failure.
How is heart failure diagnosed at Hinduja Hospital?
To evaluate your heart failure, doctors at Hinduja Hospital will inquire about your symptoms, including their frequency and intervals. They will also ask about any existing medical conditions and lifestyle habits. Following a question and answer session, the doctor will conduct a physical examination, which involves listening to your heartbeat using a stethoscope. They will also assess swelling in your legs and abdomen.
The following are the tests that doctors may order:
- Chest X-rays: These are used to assess the condition of the heart and lungs.
- ECG (Electrocardiogram): This test records the electrical signals in the heart, capturing the heartbeat and showing its rhythm.
- Echocardiogram: By using sound waves, an echocardiogram creates an image of the heartbeat, providing information about the structure of the heart, heart valves, and arteries.
- Blood Tests: Routine blood investigations are conducted to check for any abnormality that can cause heart failure or derangement in normal values secondary to heart failure. Special blood investigation NTproBNP (Natriuretic Paptide Test) helps to diagnose heart failure and monitor the progression.
- Cardiac CT Scan: This test utilises X-rays to create cross-sectional images of the heart.
- Cardiac MRI: Magnetic fields and radio waves are used in this test to generate detailed images of the heart.
- Myocardial Biopsy: A small piece of heart muscle is extracted and analysed in the laboratory to diagnose certain muscle diseases that can cause heart failure.
Additionally, doctors may perform a coronary angiogram by inserting a thin, long, flexible tube called a catheter through the wrist. Through this catheter, a dye is injected to provide clear images of the arteries, aiding in the examination and assessment.
How are heart failure symptoms treated at Hinduja Hospital?
At Hinduja Hospital, is also known as a top hospital when it comes to heart failure treatment in Mumbai, our doctors carefully evaluate the diagnostic report before initiating treatment for heart failure. This is because the treatment approach depends on the underlying cause of heart failure. While some cases may require a heart transplant, others can be managed with medications.
If medication is deemed appropriate, our doctors at Hinduja Hospital will prescribe a combination of medications tailored to your specific needs, adjusting the dosage as necessary based on your progress. If medication alone proves insufficient, surgical intervention or other procedures may be recommended. Surgeries are typically performed to implant a pacemaker or heart devices aimed at addressing heart failure. Some common surgeries for heart failure include:
- Coronary Bypass Surgery - This surgery involves replacing defective arteries with healthy ones, creating a new pathway for better blood flow to the heart muscle.
- Heart Valve Replacement and Repair - This minimally invasive surgery has various types, depending on the cause of heart problems.
- Heart Transplant - Heart transplants are chosen when other medications are ineffective. Healthy donor hearts replace the patient's heart.
Other procedures used to treat heart failure include VAD (Ventricular Assist Device), CRT (Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy) and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
Conclusion
Heart failure is treatable and can be rectified with early treatment. This condition usually occurs due to abnormal blood flow to the heart. Therefore, it is crucial to take safety measures to improve your quality of life, as poor quality of life can lead to various heart conditions that may ultimately result in heart failure. If you experience any major symptoms of heart failure, it is important to consult a doctor.
At Hinduja Hospital, our cardiologists are trained and board-certified, and they strive to provide the utmost care to our patients. We are also one of the leading hospitals for heart failure treatment in Mumbai. We have successfully treated numerous patients in the country and aim to continue doing so.
FAQs
Q1: What are the first signs of a weak heart?
Ans: The first symptoms of heart failure are cough, loss of appetite, fatigue, weakness, and faintness.
Q2: How long does heart failure last?
Ans: Congestive heart failure signs can persist over an extended period of time, necessitating long-term treatment for the patient.
Q3: What can a person with heart failure eat or drink?
Ans: A person with Cardiac failure symptoms should limit their salt and water intake as per advice. The specific diet chart and guidelines are typically provided by doctors.
Q4: What is the approach of treatment?
Ans: It is always case by case basis. Our heart team, a panel of doctors discuss patient in detail. The approach initially is to identify the cause and treat the cause. If cause cannot be corrected, treatment is directed towards minimising the symptoms and improve the quality of life.
Q5: What if medicines fail to improve the condition?
Ans: There are treatment available if symptoms does not improve with optimal medical management. Sometimes pacemaker is used to improve the function. There are special device called left ventricular assist device which supports the left ventricle and helps to have better quality life. The final approach to correct heart failure is heart transplant if patient is eligible.
