About Heart Failure

Understanding and Managing Heart Failure: A Guide for Adults

Heart failure is a chronic, progressive condition in which the heart muscle is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs for blood and oxygen. However, with understanding, effective treatment, and lifestyle changes, it can be managed successfully. Here's what you need to know about heart failure and how to live with it.

Heart Failure: What Is It?

Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, occurs when your heart muscle doesn't pump blood as well as it should. It can result from conditions that overwork the heart, like high blood pressure and coronary artery disease.

Importance of Identifying Heart Failure

Recognising heart failure early is crucial because symptoms can progress, leading to severe complications such as kidney damage or failure, heart valve problems, and even life-threatening heart rhythm abnormalities.

Diagnosing Heart Failure

Diagnosis involves a physical examination, review of medical history, and tests like an echocardiogram, EKG, stress tests, and blood tests.

Managing Heart Failure

Management of heart failure focuses on treating the symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease. This typically involves:

Medication: Medicines to lower blood pressure, reduce fluid buildup, slow the heart rate, or replace hormone imbalances seen in heart failure may be prescribed.

Lifestyle changes: A heart-healthy lifestyle plays a critical role in managing heart failure. This includes a low-sodium diet, regular physical activity, weight management, no smoking, and limited alcohol.

In severe cases, procedures or surgeries like angioplasty, bypass surgery, heart valve surgery, or implanting heart devices may be necessary.

Living With Heart Failure

Living with heart failure involves regular monitoring of your health, taking your medications as prescribed, and leading a heart-healthy lifestyle. It's crucial to maintain regular follow-ups with your healthcare provider and promptly report any new or worsening symptoms.

Remember, while heart failure is a serious condition, many people lead full, enjoyable lives when managing their condition appropriately. If you have any concerns about heart failure, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to support you in your heart health journey