HEART FAILURE

Overview:

Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle doesn't pump blood as well as it should. When this happens, blood often backs up and fluid can build up in the lungs, causing shortness of breath.

Certain heart conditions gradually leave the heart too weak or stiff to fill and pump blood properly. These conditions include narrowed arteries in the heart and high blood pressure.

Proper treatment may improve the symptoms of heart failure and may help some people live longer. Lifestyle changes can improve quality of life. Try to lose weight, exercise, use less salt and manage stress.

But heart failure can be life-threatening. People with heart failure may have severe symptoms. Some may need a heart transplant or a device to help the heart pump blood.

Heart failure is sometimes called congestive heart failure.

Symptoms:

If you have heart failure, your heart can't supply enough blood to meet your body's needs.

Symptoms may develop slowly. Sometimes, heart failure symptoms start suddenly. Heart failure 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.

• Wheezing.

• A cough that doesn't go away or a cough that brings up white or pink mucus with spots of blood.

• Swelling of the belly area.

• Very rapid weight gain from fluid buildup.

• Nausea and lack of appetite.

• Difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness.

• Chest pain if heart failure is caused by a heart attack.

When to see a doctor:

See your health care provider if you think you might have symptoms of heart failure. Call 1122 or emergency medical help if you have any of the following:

• Chest pain.

• Fainting or severe weakness.

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat with shortness of breath, chest pain or fainting.

• Sudden, severe shortness of breath and coughing up white or pink, foamy mucus.

These symptoms may be due to heart failure. But there are many other possible causes. Don't try to diagnose yourself.

At the emergency room, health care providers do tests to learn if your symptoms are due to heart failure or something else.

Call your health care provider right away if you have heart failure and:

• Your symptoms suddenly become worse.

• You develop a new symptom.

• You gain 5 pounds (2.3 kilograms) or more within a few days.

Such changes could mean that existing heart failure is getting worse or that treatment isn't working.