Heart failure is a common but often misunderstood heart condition. It is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently to meet the body’s needs. It does not mean the heart has stopped, but that it is working with reduced strength or capacity, leading to symptoms like breathlessness, fatigue, and fluid buildup. With timely diagnosis, appropriate heart failure treatment in Navi Mumbai at UMC Hospitals, and regular follow-up, many people with heart failure can live active, meaningful lives.
Heart failure is a progressive condition where the heart muscle becomes damaged, and its pumping efficiency is compromised. It is a chronic and long-term condition, but it may also occur suddenly.
The main causes of heart failure are:
With the rise in life expectancy, heart failure is also on the rise. However, thanks to increased awareness and advanced diagnostic tools, it is now possible to diagnose and treat heart failure effectively.
No. A heart attack is a result of the sudden blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle.
Heart failure is a condition where the heart gradually loses its pumping efficiency due to underlying diseases. A heart attack may cause heart failure, but they are not the same thing.
Symptoms of Heart Failure
Most symptoms occur due to fluid buildup and reduced blood supply to organs.
Common symptoms include:
Diagnosis begins with careful clinical evaluation. Doctors look for signs such as leg swelling, breathlessness, prominent neck veins, liver enlargement, and lung congestion. To confirm the diagnosis and identify the cause, several investigations are carried out. These may include blood tests such as BNP levels, where values above 100 pg/ml increase the likelihood of heart failure, along with an electrocardiogram (ECG) and a chest X-ray.
Heart failure can be acute or chronic. It becomes a medical emergency when it presents suddenly, especially in patients with prior heart attacks or severely high blood pressure. There are two main forms of heart failure: diastolic heart failure, in which the heart does not relax and fill properly with blood, and systolic heart failure, where the heart loses its ability to contract effectively and pump blood with adequate force. The seriousness of the condition differs from person to person and depends on the underlying cause, the extent of heart muscle dysfunction, and how well the individual responds to treatment.
Heart failure is treated by relieving symptoms, improving heart function, and preventing complications. Treatment includes medicines to remove excess fluid, reduce heart strain, strengthen heart contractions, control heart rhythm, and treat associated conditions. Lifestyle changes are essential, while selected patients may need pacemakers, surgery, advanced devices, or heart transplantation. Consult the best doctors for heart failure treatment in Navi Mumbai at UMC Hospitals for prompt diagnosis and timely care.
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