Show Heart failure is a condition where the heart is weakened and unable to pump blood effectively, resulting in insufficient blood flow to the body’s organs and systems. Heart failure can be acute, meaning that it appears suddenly but goes away relatively quickly. This may be the case following a heart attack or if there are problems with the heart valves. The majority of cases of heart failure, however, are chronic. This means that symptoms persist and don’t improve over time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 5.7 million Americans have heart failure. The condition is more common in men, but women are more likely to die from heart failure if it is not treated. We will outline the different types of heart failure, their diagnosis, left vs right heart failure symptoms, and the treatment options. Risk Factors for Left or Right-Sided Heart FailureAny of the below risk factors alone may be enough to cause heart failure, but a combination of these risk factors can significantly increase risk. Risk factors for heart failure include:
When your heart is strong, it pumps blood throughout your body. But when you have heart failure, the muscles in your heart walls slowly weaken. Once they’re too weak, your heart can’t pump the blood that your body needs. And heart failure is so common. It’s one of the main reasons people age 65 and older are admitted to the
hospital. It can happen on either the right or left side of your heart. But what difference does it make which side is affected? When your heart is working normally, it pumps oxygen-rich blood through your lungs and to the rest of your body. The left ventricle, or left chamber, of the heart provides most of the heart’s pumping power. So when you have left-side heart failure, your heart can’t pump
enough blood to your body. The right ventricle, or right chamber, moves “used” blood from your heart back to your lungs to be resupplied with oxygen. So when you have right-side heart failure, the right chamber has lost its ability to pump. That means your heart can’t fill with enough blood, and the blood backs up into the veins. If this happens, your legs, ankles, and belly often swell. Sometimes it just
happens. But usually it’s left-side heart failure that causes right-side heart failure. As the left chamber of your heart loses some of its ability to pump, blood continues to back up -- sometimes into your lungs. Heart failure is a long-term condition that gets worse over time. In most cases, you get it because you have other health issues that have damaged or weakened your heart. Some other causes of right-side heart failure include: Coronary artery disease. This is the most common form of heart disease and cause of heart failure. When you have coronary artery disease, plaque blocks your arteries, causing blood flow to your heart muscle to slow or
even stop. Read more on clogged arteries and the causes of arterial plaque. High blood pressure. It measures how hard your heart pumps blood through your arteries. The higher your blood pressure, the harder your heart is working to pump it. That means
over time, your heart muscles can thicken and weaken because of the extra work they do. Learn about the symptoms of high blood pressure. Damaged heart valves. Valves keep blood flowing in the right direction through your heart. If they get damaged, by an infection or heart defect, for instance, your
heart has to work harder to pump blood. Eventually, it will become weakened. Get more information on heart valve disease symptoms and causes. Congenital heart defects. Some babies are born with problems in their heart structure. If you were, it could
increase your odds of heart failure. Read about the most common congenital heart condition, ventricular septal defect. Arrhythmia. This is when your heart has an
irregular heartbeat. It may beat too fast, too slow, or just not the way it should. Most of the time, arrhythmia is harmless. But it can also make your heart pump an insufficient amount of blood through the body. If it’s not treated, it could weaken your heart over time. View a slideshow on the different
causes of heart palpitations. Lung disease. Over time, problems in the lungs cause the right side of the heart to enlarge and fail. Your doctor may call this “cor pulmonale.” Find out more on the
link between heart failure and lung disease. Other long-term health conditions. Diabetes, HIV, and
thyroid problems are examples of health issues that do not go away and eventually could play a part in heart failure. Your feet, legs, and ankles will likely to swell because blood is backing up in your veins. This symptom is called
edema.
As your heart failure gets worse, you may also see some of these symptoms:
There is no cure for heart failure, but there are treatments for its symptoms. Talk to your doctor. They may
suggest medications to make you more comfortable. In some cases, a procedure or surgery may be necessary. Your doctor will also suggest you do some things differently to reduce the stress on your heart. These might include: Heart failure happens over time. But if you see your doctor and make some changes, you may stop the damage and get on with living
a strong, happy life. What are the signs and symptoms of right and leftHeart failure signs and symptoms may include:. Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down.. Fatigue and weakness.. Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet.. Rapid or irregular heartbeat.. Reduced ability to exercise.. Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged mucus.. Swelling of the belly area (abdomen). What is the difference between left and rightLeft-sided heart failure is usually caused by coronary artery disease (CAD), a heart attack or long-term high blood pressure. Right-sided heart failure generally develops as a result of advanced left-sided heart failure, and is then treated in the same way.
What are signs of rightSymptoms. Fainting spells during activity.. Chest discomfort, usually in the front of the chest.. Chest pain.. Swelling of the feet or ankles.. Symptoms of lung disorders, such as wheezing or coughing or phlegm production.. Bluish lips and fingers (cyanosis). |