Heart Failure

Heart failure requires specialized care. We offer expert diagnosis and tailored treatment plans, which may include medications, device implantation, and lifestyle changes to enhance your quality of life.

Heart Failure: Understanding, Managing, and Planning for Your Heart Health

Understanding a Healthy Heart:

A healthy heart is a remarkable organ that operates as a continuous, efficient pump, delivering oxygen-rich blood throughout your body. This life-sustaining cycle involves blood flowing in and out of your heart.

Heart Blood Flow

Understanding Heart Failure:

Contrary to the name, heart failure doesn’t signify a complete cessation of heart function. Instead, it indicates a condition where your heart is incapable of pumping an adequate volume of blood to meet your body’s demands. This deficiency can arise from structural changes, such as an enlarged or thickened heart, which affect its ability to contract and relax effectively.

Common Causes of Heart Failure:

Heart failure can have various triggers, with the most prevalent causes being:
1. Coronary Artery Disease
2. Previous Heart Attack
3. High Blood Pressure
4. Cardiomyopathy

Signs and Symptoms of Heart Failure:

The symptoms of heart failure can vary among individuals. Some of the most prevalent indicators of heart failure include:

Shortness of breath, whether at rest or during physical exertion
Fatigue
Swollen ankles
Nighttime coughing
Abdominal bloating
Dizziness
Sleep disturbances
Loss of appetite
Heart Failure Symptoms

Diagnostic Tests for Heart Failure:

Accurate diagnostic tests are essential to confirm heart failure as the source of your symptoms. Your healthcare provider will assess your symptoms, medical history, and conduct a thorough cardiac and pulmonary examination before ordering specific tests, which might include:

Chest X-ray: To evaluate heart size and check for lung fluid accumulation.
Echocardiogram: A non-invasive ultrasound test that examines heart function, blood flow, and valve performance.
ECG (Electrocardiogram): A test that records your heart’s electrical activity.
Blood Tests: To assess the function of other organs impacted by heart failure, such as the kidneys and liver.
Coronary Angiogram: To examine blood flow through coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle.
Additional tests may be needed based on your unique circumstances, as other conditions can mimic heart failure symptoms.

Treatment Options for Heart Failure:

The diagnosis of heart failure shouldn’t be a cause for alarm. Many treatment options are available to manage your condition effectively. Your heart failure team will collaborate with you to create a personalized treatment plan focused on:

Alleviating symptoms and improving your quality of life.
Enhancing heart function.
Addressing the underlying causes of heart failure.

Heart Failure Treatment

Your healthcare team, comprising specialists like nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and dietitians, will support you during your hospital stay and post-discharge to guide you in managing symptoms and lifestyle changes. Taking the following steps can significantly improve your condition:

Quit Smoking: Seek support from healthcare professionals, who can recommend nicotine replacement therapy or refer you to Quitline.
Limit Fluid Intake: Aim to consume no more than 1.5 liters (6 cups) of fluids daily.
Reduce Salt Consumption: Lower salt intake to mitigate fluid retention.
Daily Weight Monitoring: Weigh yourself daily to identify signs of fluid retention and promptly report a sudden 2kg increase in 2 days to your doctor.
Annual Flu Vaccination: Receive a flu shot to prevent chest infections that can exacerbate heart failure symptoms.
Moderate Alcohol Consumption: Discuss safe drinking limits with your doctor.
Regular Exercise: Engage in physical activity to boost general well-being and heart function.

Additionally, medications designed to alleviate symptoms and prolong life expectancy will be prescribed. The choice and dosages of these medications will be tailored to your specific heart failure type and any concurrent health issues.

*Surgical interventions like pacemaker surgery, heart bypass surgery, or valve surgery may be recommended if they can benefit you.

Planning for the Future:

While heart failure is a significant health concern, similar to managing diabetes or asthma, it is controllable. Staying positive is crucial as you prepare for the future. You will receive valuable guidance on managing your condition and leading a healthier life, which includes:

Adhering to your dedicated treatment plan: Take prescribed medications, continue positive lifestyle changes, stay active, and attend regular medical check-ups.
Seeking medical assistance: Contact your doctor or heart failure nurse if you ever feel that something is amiss.
Accessing dedicated cardiac rehabilitation or heart failure services: These professionals can help arrange extra support and in-home care.
Utilizing services like St. Vincent’s Hospital Heart Failure Service: A home-visiting team of health professionals can educate you on effective heart failure management and condition monitoring.

Remember, a heart failure diagnosis is not the end; it’s the beginning of a journey where support and care are always available.

Heart Failure

Heart Failure: Understanding, Managing, and Planning for Your Heart Health

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