Health Information Library
Heart failure
Definition
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can no longer pump enough blood to the rest of the body.
Alternative Names
CHF; Congestive heart failure; Left-sided heart failure; Right-sided heart failure - Cor pulmonale; Cardiomyopathy - heart failure
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Heart failure is a long-term (chronic) condition, but it can sometimes develop suddenly.
The condition may affect only the right side or only the left side of the heart. These are called right-sided heart failure or left-sided heart failure. More often, both sides of the heart are involved.
Heart failure is present when:
- Your heart muscle cannot pump (eject) the blood out of the heart very well. This is called systolic heart failure.
- Your heart muscles are stiff and do not fill up with blood easily. This is called diastolic heart failure.
Both of these problems mean the heart is no longer able to pump enough oxygen-rich blood out to the rest of your body, especially when you exercise or are active.
As the heart's pumping action is lost, blood may back up in other areas of the body. Fluid builds up in the lungs, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and the arms and legs. This is called congestive heart failure.
The most common cause of heart failure is coronary artery disease (CAD), a narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. For information on this condition and its risk factors, see: Heart disease - risk factors
Heart failure can also occur when an infection weakens the heart muscle. This condition is called cardiomyopathy. For more information, see: Cardiomyopathy
Other heart problems that may cause heart failure are:
- Congenital heart disease
- Heart attack
- Heart valve disease
- Some types of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
Other diseases that can cause or contribute to heart failure:
Symptoms
Symptoms of heart failure often begin slowly. At first, they may only occur when you are very active. Over time, you may notice breathing problems and other symptoms even when you are resting.
Heart failure symptoms may also begin suddenly; for example, after a heart attack or other heart problem.
Common symptoms are:
- Cough
- Fatigue, weakness, faintness
- Loss of appetite
- Need to urinate at night
- Pulse that feels fast or irregular, or a sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations)
- Shortness of breath when you are active or after you lie down
- Swollen (enlarged) liver or abdomen
- Swollen feet and ankles
- Waking up from sleep after a couple of hours due to shortness of breath
- Weight gain
Signs and tests
Your health care provider will examine you for signs of heart failure:
- Fast or difficult breathing
- Irregular or fast heartbeat and abnormal heart sounds
- Leg swelling (edema)
- Neck veins that stick out (are distended)
- Sounds ("crackles") from fluid buildup in your lungs, heard through a stethoscope
- Swelling of the liver or abdomen
An echocardiogram (echo) is often the best test to diagnose, learn the cause of, and monitor your heart failure. Your doctor will use it to guide your treatment.
Other imaging tests are:
- Cardiac stress tests
- Heart catheterization
- MRI of the heart
- Nuclear heart scans
Lab tests are done to help your doctor:
- Check how well your kidneys are working (BUN, creatinine, creatinine clearance, urinalysis)
- Look for a low blood count or anemia -- complete blood count (CBC)
- Test for brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)
- Watch sodium and potassium levels in your blood
Treatment
MONITORING AND SELF CARE
If you have heart failure, your doctor will monitor you closely. You will have follow-up appointments at least every 3 to 6 months and tests to check your heart function.
Knowing your body and the symptoms that your heart failure is getting worse will help you stay healthier and out of the hospital. At home, watch for changes in your heart rate, pulse, blood pressure, and weight. See: Home monitoring
Weight gain, especially over a day or two, can be a sign that your body is holding onto extra fluid and your heart failure is getting worse. Talk to your doctor about what you should do if your weight goes up or if you develop more symptoms.
Limit how much salt you eat. Your doctor may also ask you to limit how much fluid you drink during the day.
Other important changes to make in your lifestyle:
- Ask your doctor how much alcohol you may drink.
- Do not smoke.
- Stay active. Walk or ride a stationary bicycle. Your doctor can provide a safe and effective exercise plan for you. DO NOT exercise on days when your weight has gone up from fluid or you are not feeling well.
- Lose weight if you are overweight.
- Lower your cholesterol by changing your lifestyle.
- Get enough rest, including after exercise, eating, or other activities. This allows your heart to rest too.
MEDICATIONS, SURGERY, AND DEVICES
Your doctor will ask you to take medicines to treat your heart failure. Medicines treat the symptoms, prevent your heart failure from getting worse, and help you live longer.
These medicines:
- Help the heart muscle pump better
- Keep your blood from clotting
- Lower your cholesterol levels
- Open up blood vessels or slow your heart rate so your heart doesn't have to work as hard
- Replace potassium
- Rid your body of excess fluid and salt (sodium)
It is very important that you take your medicine as your doctor and nurse directed. Do not take any other drugs or herbs without first asking your doctor or nurse about them. These include:
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
- Sildenafil (Viagra)
- Tadalafil (Cialis)
- Vardenafil (Levitra)
The following surgeries and devices may be recommended for certain patients with heart failure:
- Coronary bypass surgery (CABG) and angioplasty may help improve blood flow to the damaged or weakened heart muscle.
- Heart valve surgery may be done if changes in a heart valve are causing your heart failure.
- A pacemaker can help treat slow heart rates or help both sides of your heart contract at the same time.
- A defibrillator sends an electrical pulse to stop life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms.
END-STAGE HEART FAILURE
Severe heart failure occurs when treatments no longer work. Certain treatments may be used when a person is waiting for a heart transplant:
- Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP)
- Left ventricular assist device (LVAD)
At a certain point, the health care provider will decide whether it is best to keep treating heart failure. The patient, along with his or her family and doctors, may want to discuss the option of palliative or comfort care at this time.
Expectations (prognosis)
Often, you can control heart failure by taking medicine, changing your lifestyle, and treating the condition that caused it.
Heart failure can suddenly get worse due to:
- Angina
- Eating high-salt foods
- Heart attack
- Infections or other illnesses
- Not taking medicines correctly
Heart failure is usually a chronic illness, which may get worse over time. Some people develop severe heart failure, in which medicines, other treatments, and surgery no longer help. Many people are at risk for deadly heart rhythms.
Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if you develop:
- Increased cough or phlegm
- Sudden weight gain or swelling
- Weakness
- Other new or unexplained symptoms
Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you experience:
- Fainting
- Fast and irregular heartbeat (especially if you also have other symptoms)
- Severe crushing chest pain
Prevention
Follow your health care provider's treatment recommendations and take all medications as directed.
For information on risk factors and prevention, see: Heart disease - risk factors
Keep your blood pressure , heart rate, and cholesterol under control as your doctor recommends. This may involve exercise, a special diet, and medications.
Other important treatment measures:
- Do not smoke.
- Do not drink alcohol.
- Reduce how much salt you eat.
- Exercise as your health care provider recommends.
References
Emanuel LL, Bonow RO. Care of patients with end-stage heart disease. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 34.
Mann DL. Management of heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 28.
Jessup M, Abraham WT, Casey DE, Feldman AM, Francis GS, Ganiats TG, et al. 2009 focused update: ACCF/AHA Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Heart Failure in Adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines: developed in collaboration with the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. Circulation. 2009 Apr 14;119(14):1977-2016. Epub 2009 Mar 26.
Reviewed By: Michael M. Chen, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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