Causes and symptoms of heart failure



Introduction

Most people who have a heart attack are unaware that they have one. That's because their symptoms are vague and nonspecific.

 However, if you have symptoms that suggest you might have heart failure (such as shortness of breath or fatigue), then it's important to see your doctor right away so that process of treatment may start before permanent damage occurs.

Causes of heart failure

Some diseases and conditions that can trigger heart failure include:

Enlarged heart muscle

The heart has three chambers: the left ventricle, the right ventricle, and the pumping chamber, or ventricle. In each of these chambers, the muscle pumps blood out and back in through the arteries and veins.

When the heart becomes too large, it can affect its ability to pump, especially the ventricles. The increased pressure in the ventricles can restrict the blood flow and put extra stress on the heart muscle.

Heart attack

A heart attack is when the blood supply to part of the heart is blocked, causing the heart to have a hard time pumping blood around the body.

The heart's ability to pump blood can be impaired by:

smaller ventricles

Less blood flow

Increased blood pressure

Pleural effusion

Part of the lung's fluid called pleural fluid pushes up against the lungs, which causes them to swell, causing chest pain.

Pleural effusion may also cause pain in the left shoulder, neck, and jaw.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Elevated pressure in the lungs, caused by inhaling dust and fluids, is the main cause of COPD.

Smoking is the most common cause of COPD, although tobacco use is not the only cause of COPD. Environmental pollutants and toxic substances from products such as fireworks, pesticides, and paints can also trigger COPD.

Stroke

When the blood supply is cut off, part of the heart muscle can die. This is called ischemia, which means loss of blood flow. It may lead to:

blockage of the heart's left ventricle

bradycardia, or a slow heart rate

bradyarrhythmia, which is a rapid heart rate

preterm labor, which is when the baby does not develop fully in the womb

Heart failure is the most common cause of death in both men and women in the United States.



Heart disease is one of biggest causes of most of the deaths.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and it's also the leading cause of heart failure. Heart failure can lead to other problems like being unable to exercise and having to take more medications than you should.

Heart disease takes many forms: plaque build-up in your arteries, high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, smoking and drinking too much alcohol all contribute to heart disease.

Raised pressure on the heart may be one of causes of heart failure.

Heart failure is a particular situation in which the heart is not able to pump required amount of blood to meet the body's needs. It can be caused by many conditions, including high blood pressure, infections and other types of cardiovascular disease.

Heart failure in some cases, may also be known as congestive heart failure (CHF). CHF refers to a group of disorders that affect how well your heart works and how efficiently it pumps out oxygen-rich blood throughout your body.

Some people have heart failure from birth.

 Heart failure is a condition in which your heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. It's caused by problems with the valves and other parts of your cardiovascular system, which are responsible for moving blood around your body.

Some people inherit genes that increase their risk of developing heart disease, including high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus (diabetes).

 This can lead to damage to small arteries in the lungs called pulmonary arteries; this damage makes it harder for oxygen-rich blood to flow through those vessels into other parts of the body like the heart muscle itself or other parts like kidneys or liver."

The symptoms of heart failure are caused by a buildup of fluid and an inability to pump blood effectively throughout the body.



Symptoms of heart failure include:

  • Shortness of breath

  • Fatigue and weakness, especially when you exercise or make sudden movements like getting out of bed in the morning.

  • Chest pain (angina) that limits your activities because it's hard to breathe. You might also have palpitations and sweating even when you're sitting still.

If you have any symptoms, call 911 immediately so that medical help can be sent to you as soon as possible!

The symptoms of heart failure may be mild or severe, depending on which part of the heart is damaged and what the cause is.

  • Mild symptoms include:

  • Sore throat

  • Coughing up phlegm (mucus)

  • Severe symptoms include:

  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, which could be accompanied by chest pain and anxiety.

  •  This could lead to shortness of breath even when at rest; it doesn't mean that you're having a heart attack because they're different conditions with different causes.

Common symptoms include shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, and fluid buildup in the legs and feet.

  • Shortness of breath

  • Extreme fatigue

  • Fluid buildup in the legs and feet, resulting in swelling and pain

  • A feeling of fullness in the chest that may be felt as a tightness or heaviness (sometimes referred to as "heartburn")

  • A cough that produces mucus or phlegm; this can occur suddenly or gradually over time. The cough may be accompanied by wheezing sounds from your chest cavity when you breathe out through your mouth.

  •  This symptom is sometimes called "bronchitis" because it involves inflammation of one part inside the lungs called bronchi—the tubes that carry air into and out from your lungs

If you are having any problems with your heart, seek medical advice right away.



If you’re having any problems with your heart, it’s best to see a doctor. Don't ignore the symptoms of heart failure. Don't wait for them to go away on their own because they can get worse and require treatment before they do so.

 And don't be afraid to ask questions—you may want to ask about what medications are available and how they work, as well as how long they take effect in order for you to feel better again after taking them regularly at home (or elsewhere).

Conclusion

If you're having any problems with your heart, seek medical advice right away.