What is heart failure?
Heart failure is a chronic medical condition that occurs when the heart is unable to effectively pump blood at an optimal rate.
The term “heart failure” is commonly used to refer to congestive heart failure or CHF, a type of heart failure that causes fluid buildup in the lungs and elsewhere.
However, there are many types and causes of heart failure, and not all of them cause fluids to build up. Causes of heart failure include:
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart attack
- High blood pressure
- Heart valve problems
- Heart infections and inflammation
- Heart defects
- Unmanaged diabetes
- Long-term use of certain medications
- Autoimmune diseases
- Alcohol or drug abuse
The team at South Palm Cardiovascular Associates can diagnose and manage all types of heart failure.
What are the symptoms of heart failure?
The most common symptoms of heart failure are shortness of breath and fluid buildup, especially in the lungs or the feet and ankles.
Other symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, palpitations (rapid or irregular heartbeat), frequent need to urinate, and weight gain. In its early stages, heart failure may cause few or no noticeable symptoms.
How is heart failure treated?
Heart failure treatment will depend on its underlying cause, the stage of the disease, and other factors. Options can include:
- Medications to help manage the symptoms of the disease and to help prevent damage to the heart
- Diuretics, special medicines to help the body clear itself of excess fluids in the lungs and elsewhere
- Lifestyle changes like eating a low-sodium diet and losing excess weight
- Treatments to stabilize the heart’s electrical activity (the rhythm and regularity of the heartbeat)
- Treatment for valve diseases or structural defects
- Medication to treat infections
- Oxygen therapy to reduce fatigue and improve physical activity levels
Today, there are many treatment options that can help patients with heart failure live normal, healthy lives. Patients with heart failure will need to have ongoing care to help them manage their disease and evaluate how the disease is progressing.
Testing can include routine EKGs, stress tests, echocardiography, minimally-invasive angiography to see inside the heart, and other approaches to assess specific symptoms.
South Palm Cardiovascular Associates is also the only practice in the area that uses the CardioMEMS™ HF System, a wireless heart failure (HF) remote monitor that helps patients manage heart failure and improve their quality of life.
Schedule an appointment at South Palm Cardiovascular Associates by calling the office or booking online today.
