This is usually one of the first tests your doctor will recommend. That could be a warning sign for a heart attack. Stress tests show how well your heart performs under different levels of stress. Cardiac catheterization can show blockages of the coronary arteries. Your doctor will insert a small tube into your blood vessel and thread it from your upper thigh groin area , arm, or wrist.
At the same time, the doctor can take blood samples, use X-rays to view your coronary arteries, and check blood flow and pressure in your heart chambers.
An MRI takes pictures of your heart. There are several things you can do to lower your risk of heart failure, or at least delay onset. Secondhand smoke is also a health hazard. If you live with a smoker, ask them to smoke outdoors. A heart healthy diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. You also need protein in your diet. Things to avoid include:. As little as 1 hour of moderate aerobic exercise per week can improve your heart health.
Walking, bicycling, and swimming are good forms of exercise. If you feel unmotivated to work out alone, consider taking a class — it can even be online — or sign up for personal training at a local gym. Having obesity or overweight can be hard on your heart. Follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
You can also consult a dietitian or nutritionist. Drink alcohol only in moderation and stay away from illegal drugs. Be sure to ask your doctor how much physical activity is safe and if you have any other restrictions. See your doctor regularly to monitor your condition and report any new symptoms right away. Your condition may improve with medication, surgery, or lifestyle changes. Your outlook depends on how advanced your CHF is and whether you have other health conditions to treat, like diabetes or high blood pressure.
The earlier your condition is diagnosed, the better your outlook. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Read this article in Spanish. A bounding pulse is a pulse that feels as though your heart is pounding or racing. Your pulse will probably feel strong and powerful.
Heart failure is most often related to another condition. The most common cause of heart failure is coronary artery disease CAD , a disorder that causes narrowing of the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart.
Other conditions that may increase your risk for developing heart failure include:. Heart failure can occur in either the left or right side of your heart. The left heart ventricle is located in the bottom left side of your heart. This area pumps oxygen-rich blood to the rest of your body. This prevents your body from getting enough oxygen-rich blood. The blood backs up into your lungs instead, which causes shortness of breath and a buildup of fluid.
The right heart ventricle is responsible for pumping blood to your lungs to collect oxygen. The accumulation of blood in the lungs caused by left-sided heart failure makes the right ventricle work harder. This can stress the right side of the heart and cause it to fail. Right-sided heart failure can also occur as a result of other conditions, such as lung disease. Right-sided heart failure is marked by swelling of the lower extremities.
This swelling is caused by fluid backup in the legs, feet, and abdomen. Diastolic heart failure occurs when the heart muscle becomes stiffer than normal.
This is known as diastolic dysfunction. It leads to a lack of blood flow to the rest of the organs in your body. Systolic heart failure occurs when the heart muscle loses its ability to contract.
The contractions of the heart are necessary to pump oxygen-rich blood out to the body. This problem is known as systolic dysfunction, and it usually develops when your heart is weak and enlarged. Both diastolic and systolic heart failure can occur on the left or right sides of the heart. You may have either condition on both sides of the heart. Heart failure can happen to anyone. However, certain factors may increase your risk of developing this condition.
There is a higher incidence of heart failure in males compared with females, though the prevalence is about the same for all sexes.
People with diseases that damage the heart are also at an increased risk. These diseases include:. Your doctor may perform a physical exam to check for signs of heart failure. For instance, leg swelling, irregular heart rate, and bulging neck veins may lead your doctor to diagnose heart failure. Heart valves keep blood flowing in the proper direction. A damaged valve - due to a heart defect, coronary artery disease, or heart infection - forces the heart to work harder to keep blood flowing as it should.
Over time, this extra work can weaken the heart, leading to CHF. Other conditions. Other conditions, either from birth such as congenital heart defects , contracted such as HIV or myocarditis resulting from a virus , or developed over time such as diabetes, hemochromatosis, or amyloidosis can also lead to CHF. In essence, any condition which forces the heart to work harder to pump blood through the heart can lead to heart failure. What are the symptoms of CHF?
What should you be looking for and how do you know if a patient might be suffering from this particular condition?
Well, the first thing to note is that the symptoms of heart failure exist on a spectrum that can run from mild to moderate to severe. Symptoms can come and go and worsen over time, making CHF difficult to diagnose, but here are some of the most common things to look for, according to the American Heart Association. Despite being such a prevalent condition, is still a lot of confusion about congestive heart failure.
Heart Failure Matters , a website developed under the direction of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology, tests your knowledge of some of the most common myths and facts. Can you identify which are which? MYTH: Heart failure does not mean your heart has stopped beating. Heart failure occurs when your heart muscle or valves have been damaged and your heart is not able to pump blood as efficiently as it should. FACT: Heart failure is a very serious condition and can be fatal.
An LVAD is a pump that helps the heart muscle contract. These devices can be a permanent solution for patients with heart failure. A full heart transplant may also be an option if the person is a good candidate for the operation. Doctors will likely recommend making lifestyle changes to minimize the impact of CHF. This will often happen regardless of the stage a person is at or other treatments they will follow.
They include:. Eating a healthful, varied diet and getting regular exercise is always a good idea, but it can be essential for people with CHF. Doctors may recommend that people with CHF eliminate excess salt sodium from their diet, as it causes the body to retain fluids.
They may also suggest reducing alcohol intake and limiting fluid intake. Regular aerobic exercise may improve heart health and lead to a better quality of life in patients with CHF. Guidance states that physical conditioning can improve quality of life, exercise tolerance, and reduce hospitalization rates in patients with heart failure. However, an increase in physical activity may not be practical for all patients.
Aerobic exercise is any activity that elevates the heart rate and breathing rate. Activities include swimming, cycling, or jogging. If you have CHF, check with your doctor before doing any exercise.
People with CHF tend to retain fluid in the body. To mitigate this, doctors will sometimes recommend patients limit their daily fluid intake within safe boundaries. Consuming too much liquid may cancel out the effects of diuretic medicines. While it is essential to stay hydrated, a doctor will recommend just how much fluid a person can safely consume a day.
Obesity is a known risk factor for heart failure.
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