Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart cannot pump blood as efficiently as the body needs. In this condition, the heart has not stopped working completely. But the heart muscle has become too weak to pump blood out efficiently, or too stiff to fill with blood properly between heartbeats.
Cardiologists evaluate how well the heart is pumping using a measurement called ejection fraction (EF), which shows the percentage of blood pumped out of the heart with each beat.
This condition may develop gradually, or it may follow an event such as a heart attack, inflammation of the heart muscle, or damage to a heart valve. Its treatment depends on the type of heart failure, EF, symptoms, the underlying cause, and other health conditions.
Some common symptoms of heart failure are:
Heart failure is classified in different ways. One common approach is based on the heart’s ejection fraction, which measures how much blood the left ventricle pumps out with each contraction.
Doctors may also describe heart failure according to symptoms and functional limitation, ranging from minimal symptoms during ordinary activity to severe symptoms even at rest.
Heart failure can result from various conditions that weaken or stiffen the heart muscles over time. Common heart failure causes include:
Risk also increases with age. Identifying and treating these underlying conditions forms an important part of heart failure management.
The treatment for heart failure focuses on managing symptoms, addressing the underlying cause and improving heart function wherever possible. It also aims to reduce complications and help patients stay well over the long term.
For many patients, medicines form the foundation of treatment. Depending on the type of heart failure and individual health profile, treatment may involve medications that reduce strain on the heart, control heart rate, manage fluid buildup, and improve overall heart function. The exact combination and dosage vary from patient to patient and should only be taken as prescribed by your cardiologist.
Heart failure treatment may also involve managing conditions responsible for the weakened heart, such as high blood pressure, valve disease, coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetes. In selected patients, improving blood flow to the heart or treating a damaged valve may improve symptoms and cardiac function.
Medicines work best alongside healthy lifestyle changes. Your healthcare team may recommend keeping an eye on your weight and symptoms, following dietary and fluid guidelines where needed, staying physically active within safe limits and avoiding tobacco and alcohol.
Cardiac rehabilitation may also be recommended for suitable patients. It is a medically supervised program designed to help people recover and regain strength after heart-related issues.
Some patients with significant left ventricular dysfunction may benefit from an implanted device.
These treatments are not required for every person with heart failure. The decision depends on EF (ejection fraction), symptoms, ECG findings, underlying disease and overall risk.
Sometimes, despite medications and device therapy, symptoms are difficult to manage. In these cases, doctors assess whether more advanced heart failure treatments are needed, which may include:
A heart transplant is generally considered only for selected patients with advanced or end-stage heart failure that has not responded to other treatments. In such cases, a referral to an advanced heart failure team can help determine whether a transplant, or other advanced options, may be appropriate.
Heart failure can require care over months or years, with treatment changing as symptoms and heart function change. As a leading heart hospital in delhi, the CK Birla Hospital provides comprehensive cardiology evaluations to identify the cause and severity of heart failure, allowing patients to discuss appropriate medical, procedural, or advanced treatment options with expert cardiologists.
We offer:
Book a consultation at the CK Birla Hospital for evaluation and personalised heart failure management.
Heart failure is a long-term condition and cannot always be completely cured. However, many forms can be effectively managed. Treatment can relieve symptoms, reduce the risk of hospitalisation and, in some patients, improve heart function.
Early warning signs can be breathlessness during routine activity, unusual fatigue, reduced exercise capacity, swelling in the legs or ankles and weight gain. New or worsening symptoms should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot pump effectively enough to meet the body’s needs. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle becomes blocked, causing injury to the heart muscle. A heart attack can cause or worsen heart failure, but the two conditions are not the same.
Advanced treatments such as LVAD implantation or heart transplantation may be considered when heart failure has become severe despite appropriate medical and device therapy. Assessment is usually performed by an advanced heart failure team, which considers heart function, symptoms, other medical conditions, expected benefit and the patient’s goals.
