Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the arteries to meet the needs (oxygen and nutrients) of the body. Despite being a process that slowly gets worse, people who suffer from this chronic condition can live for many years if they keep control of the disease. It is very important that you seek medical care if you experience chest pain. Family Medical Care in Andover Kansas can assist you if you are have had chest pain in the past or if you have a history of this type of pain.
Heart failure
It can affect the right side or the left side of your heart. This reduced ability of the heart will reduce their organs and effectiveness differently, which do not receive enough blood irrigation. In more severe stages, it causes an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (congestive heart failure). Heart failure increases the internal pressure of the heart, impairing its performance. It also reduces the amount of blood ejected by the heart during each beat.
Causes of heart failure
The elderly are the most common heart failure recipients. This syndrome can result from any disease that affects the heart or lungs, interfering with circulation, so it is important to identify the causes of the disease.
* Diseases affecting the heart muscle, impairing its ability to contract and pump, such as heart disease (heart attacks), arrhythmias and rapid tachycardias or processes that reduce the amount of oxygen in the blood (severe colds, bronchitis, pneumonia).
* Chronic hypertension.
* Ischemic or valvular cardiomyopathy.
* Diabetes.
* Respiratory failure.
* Dilated cardiomyopathy.
Symptoms of heart failure
The most common symptoms include:
* Weight gain (sudden or slow and progressive) is due to accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, feet, ankles and legs.
* Weakness, tiredness.
* Choking or difficulty breathing that affects daily activities that involve little effort (such as walking, climbing stairs, etc.). If the liquid is in the lungs, it will increase the feeling of shortness of breath at rest.
* Muscle fatigue, caused by reduced blood flow, which may also affect the kidneys.
Ankle swelling.
* Tachycardia (fast heart rate).
If symptoms worsen, you need to see your local Family Medical Care in Andover Kansas. Only in special cases are other measures such as the implantation of a pacemaker or a defibrillator indicated. Depending on the origin of the process, very rarely, one might consider the need for a transplant. For more information, visit us website today.
