Causes may be due to defect of the structural, electrical and mechanical functions of the heart. It may be due to lack or occlusion of blood supply to the heart known as ischemic heart disease.Tips: heart failure
Hearts function is to pump blood through the blood vessels of the body upto the last tributaries and bring back blood from the body to the heart, the main pumping station. When the heart fails to pump blood adequately enough to meet the requirements of the body, heart failure is said to occur.
Causes may be due to defect of the structural, electrical and mechanical functions of the heart. It may be due to lack or occlusion of blood supply to the heart known as ischemic heart disease.
Hypertension when uncontrolled may lead to changes in its heart muscles. Heart muscle disease of specific causes like viral myocarditis and rheumatic carditis followed by valvular defects are well known causes of heart failure. Heart muscle diseases of unknown causes are known as Cardiomyopathy which is further classified in to Dilated, Restrictive and Hypertrophic cadiomyopathy.
The presentation of heart failure are dependent on the onset, pathogenesis and extent of damage of tissues of myocardium( muscles of heart). Difficulty in breathing, cough with or without blood spitting, swelling of legs , requiring more pillows during lying flat to get relieve from breathlessness are usually complained by the patients.
Suspected patients of heart failure should undergo the following investigations like ECG, Chest X ray, Echocardiography and liver and renal functions.
Management
Bed rest is important for acute deterioration of heart failure
Fluid intake restriction ( as advised by the physicians).
Salt preserves fluid so restriction will help decreasing hearts workload.
Commencing physical activity as prescribed will benefit the cardiac function.
Drugs
Diuretics
Dilators (e.g. ACE inhibitors)
Digoxin
Beta blockers.
