Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. The term "heart failure" doesn't mean that your heart has stopped or is about to stop working. However, heart failure is a serious condition that requires medical care.
Stages of heart failure
There are 4 stages of heart failure (Stage A, B, C and D). The stages range from "high risk of developing heart failure" to "advanced heart failure," and provide treatment plans.
Symptoms
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Fatigue and weakness
- Swelling (edema) in your legs, ankles and feet
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Reduced ability to exercise
- Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged phlegm
- Increased need to urinate at night
- Swelling of your abdomen (ascites)
- Sudden weight gain from fluid retention
- Lack of appetite and nausea
- Difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness
- Sudden, severe shortness of breath and coughing up pink, foamy sputum
- Chest pain if your heart failure is caused by a <heart attack>
Diagnosis
- Blood tests
- Diagnostic ECG (Electrocardiogram)
- X-ray
- Echocardiogram
- Cardiac CT (Computerized Tomography) scan
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
- Coronary angiogram
Treatment
- Medication
- Devices
- Biventricular pacemaker
- An ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator)
- Surgery
- Coronary bypass surgery
- Assist devices/artificial heart pumps
- Heart valve repair and/or replacement
- Heart Remodelling
