Heart failure
Heart failure is a chronic medical condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs for oxygen and nutrients. This can happen due to a variety of underlying conditions that damage or weaken the heart. The main types of heart failure include:
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Left-sided heart failure: The left ventricle (the main pumping chamber) fails to pump blood efficiently. It can be further classified into:
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Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF): The heart muscle does not contract effectively, and less oxygen-rich blood is pumped out to the body.
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Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF): The heart contracts normally, but the ventricles do not relax as they should during filling, reducing the amount of blood that fills the heart.
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Right-sided heart failure: Often a result of left-sided heart failure, this occurs when the right side of the heart has difficulty pumping blood to the lungs. It can lead to fluid build-up in the legs, abdomen, and other parts of the body.
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Congestive heart failure: A term that describes the fluid build-up (congestion) in the lungs, liver, abdomen, and lower extremities, which occurs when blood flow out of the heart slows and blood returning to the heart through the veins backs up.
Causes,Symptoms and Treatment
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Coronary artery disease.
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High blood pressure.
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Diabetes.
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Cardiomyopathy.
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Heart valve problems.
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Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).
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Congenital heart defects.
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Shortness of breath, especially when lying down or with exertion.
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Fatigue and weakness.
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Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet.
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Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
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Persistent cough or wheezing.
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Increased need to urinate at night.
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Difficulty concentrating or confusion.
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Rapid weight gain from fluid retention.
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Lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, weight management).
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Medications (e.g., ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics, aldosterone antagonists).
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Devices (pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, ventricular assist devices).
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Surgery (coronary bypass surgery, heart valve repair or replacement, heart transplant).