Heart failure

Further Information

• American Heart Association
• British Heart Foundation
• Heart and Stroke Foundation
• Heart Failure Online
• Heart Information Network

Interactive Learning

Heart failure occurs when the pumping action of the heart is reduced below normal levels. This loss of pumping action results in inadequate blood supply to other organs, such as the brain, liver and kidneys.

Risk Factors

A number of risk factors can lead to a potentially life-threatening loss of pumping activity including coronary artery disease (hardening of the arteries) which can lead to heart attacks; diabetes, heart valve diseases, high blood pressure, and weakened heart muscle due to viral infection or toxins.

Symptoms

A number of symptoms are associated with heart failure. Perhaps the best-known symptom is “shortness of breath” which may occur at rest or during exercise. Other symptoms include easy tiring, excess fluid retained by the body, persistent coughing, and enlargement of the heart.

Treatment

Several types of medications have proven useful in the treatment of heart failure. These medications act to improve the pumping action of the heart, decrease signs and symptoms of heart failure, or decrease the stress on the heart. These include:

• Diuretics, or “water pills”, that help reduce the extra fluid in the body.
• Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors that slow or prevent the loss of pumping activity.
• Angiotensin II receptor blockers that help the heart to pump more easily in patients who are unable to take ACE inhibitors.
• Beta-blockers that decrease the stress on the heart.
• Digoxin that increases the force of the heart’s contractions and improves circulation.
• Nitrates that may help with shortness of breath by widening blood vessels.
• Spironolactone that decreases the stress on the heart.
• Warfarin that stops blood clots from forming in patients who also have an irregular heart beat.