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Key Points
- Heart failure is a condition in which your heart
can't pump blood the way it should. In some cases, the heart can't fill with
enough blood. In other cases, the heart can't send blood to the rest of the
body with enough force. Some people have both problems.
- "Heart failure" doesn't mean that your heart has
stopped or is about to stop working. However, it's a serious condition that
requires medical care.
- The leading causes of heart failure are diseases
that damage the heart. These include
coronary
artery disease,
high
blood pressure, and
diabetes. Heart failure develops over time as the pumping
action of the heart grows weaker.
- Heart failure is a common condition. About 5
million people in the United States have heart failure, and it results in about
300,000 deaths each year. Heart failure is more common in people who are 65 or
older, African American, or
overweight
or obese. Men have a higher rate of heart failure than women.
- Common signs and symptoms of heart failure are
shortness of breath or trouble breathing, fatigue (feeling tired), and swelling
in the ankles, feet, legs, abdomen, and, rarely, the veins in the neck. All of
these symptoms are due to fluid buildup in your body.
- Your doctor will diagnose heart failure based on
your medical and family histories, a physical exam, and tests. He or she must
rule out other causes for symptoms and find out whether you have a disease or
condition that's causing heart failure. He or she also will check whether your
heart is damaged and how well it pumps blood.
- Heart failure treatment may include lifestyle
measures, medicines, ongoing care, and using a medical device or having
surgery. The sooner you start treatment, the better off you're likely to be.
- You can take steps to prevent heart failure by
having a healthy lifestyle, preventing and treating conditions that can lead to
heart failure, and taking medicines as your doctor prescribes.
- Heart failure can't be cured. You will likely
need to take medicine and follow a treatment plan for the rest of your life.
Despite treatment, your symptoms may get worse over time. Following your
treatment plan, taking steps to prevent heart failure from getting worse, and
planning ahead can help you stay healthier longer.
- Researchers are finding and testing new
treatments for heart failure. These treatments offer hope for the future. Talk
to your doctor about whether research studies may benefit you.
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