Cardiac Failure

Cardiac failure, also known as heart failure, is a chronic and progressive condition where the heart muscle is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs for oxygen and nutrients.

Types of Cardiac Failure

• Left-sided heart failure: occurs when the left ventricle is not pumping efficiently, causing fluid to build up in the lungs and leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue.
• Right-sided heart failure: occurs when the right ventricle is not pumping efficiently, causing fluid to build up in the body's tissues, particularly in the legs and ankles.
• Coronary artery disease: a condition where the coronary arteries become narrowed or blocked, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle and leading to cardiac failure.
• Diastolic heart failure: occurs when the heart muscle becomes stiff, making it difficult for the ventricles to fill with blood between beats.
• Systolic heart failure: occurs when the heart muscle is not able to contract efficiently, reducing the amount of blood pumped out of the heart.

Symptoms of Cardiac Failure

• Shortness of breath (dyspnea) during rest or exercise
• Fatigue and weakness
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet (edema)
• Coughing up pink, frothy mucus
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
• Chest pain or discomfort (angina)
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Confusion or impaired thinking (in severe cases)

Causes of Cardiac Failure

• Coronary artery disease
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Heart valve problems
• Cardiomyopathy (diseases of the heart muscle)
• Heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias)
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Sleep apnea
• Anemia
• Thyroid disorders

Treatments for Cardiac Failure

• Lifestyle modifications: quitting smoking, reducing salt intake, exercising regularly, and losing weight.
• Medications:
  • Ace inhibitors to reduce blood pressure and decrease the heart's workload
  • Beta blockers to slow the heart rate and reduce blood pressure
  • Diuretics to remove excess fluid from the body
  • Digoxin to increase the strength of the heart muscle
  • Aldosterone antagonists to reduce fluid buildup in the body
• Devices and surgeries:
  • Pacemakers to regulate the heartbeat
  • Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) to prevent sudden cardiac death
  • Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) to coordinate the heartbeat
  • Heart transplantation in severe cases
• Monitoring and follow-up: regular check-ups with a healthcare provider, monitoring of symptoms and medication side effects, and adjustments to treatment as needed.

Complications of Cardiac Failure

• Fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
• Fluid buildup in the liver (hepatic congestion)
• Kidney damage or failure
• Sudden cardiac death
• Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Prevention of Cardiac Failure

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Eating a balanced diet low in salt and sugar
• Exercising regularly
• Quitting smoking
• Managing stress
• Getting enough sleep
• Monitoring and managing underlying conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.