Heart Failure

Heart failure refers to a complex and chronic condition where the heart is incapable of performing its primary function, efficiently pumping blood to meet the body’s demands.

It occurs when the heart muscle becomes weakened, compromised, or damaged due to various underlying factors such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, or previous heart attacks.

As a result, the heart fails to adequately supply oxygen-rich blood to different organs and tissues, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, fluid retention, and swelling in extremities.

Diagnosis involves a thorough medical history assessment, physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, and sometimes additional imaging tests or blood work.

The treatment for heart failure aims at managing symptoms and addressing underlying causes through lifestyle modifications (such as adopting a low-sodium diet), medications (including beta-blockers and diuretics), implantable devices (like pacemakers), cardiac rehabilitation programs involving exercise training along with surgical interventions like coronary bypass surgery or valve replacement if necessary.

Management requires close monitoring of patients’ conditions through regular check-ups and collaboration among healthcare professionals including cardiologists, nurses, nutritionists since it is essential for ensuring proper management strategies are implemented according to each patient’s specific needs.