What can we do?

The term “heart failure” makes it sound like the heart is no longer working at all and there’s nothing that can be done. Actually, heart failure means that the heart is not doing or behaving the way it should. The word Congestive is added to heart failure as commonly patient retain fluid which causes a lot of the symptoms described in these page. Medical attention is required and should not be delayed.

Your body depends on the heart’s pumping action to deliver oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to the body’s cells. When the the oxygen delivery is appropriate, the body can function normally. With heart failure, the affected heart can’t supply the cells with enough blood and oxygen. This results in symptoms. Everyday activities can get affected

Heart failure can damage your liver or kidneys. Other complications can include pulmonary hypertension (High pressures in the lungs), irregular heartbeat, heart valve disease, and sudden cardiac arrest.

Your doctor can evaluate patient, run some tests and diagnosed heart failure based on your medical and family history, a physical exam, and results from imaging and blood tests. Heart failure is a serious condition. Proper management which include healthy lifestyle changes, medicines, some devices and procedures can help many people have a higher quality of life. Visit the Living With section to learn more.