Heart Failure: Symptoms, Causes and Risks
Heart failure (congestive heart failure), is a condition whereby the heart can no longer pump enough blood to the body. Typically a chronic, long-term condition but in some people it can happen suddenly.
Those with heart failure may notice breathing problems and other symptoms even when resting.
Systolic heart failure happens when your heart muscle cannot pump blood efficiently. Diastolic heart failure is when your heart muscles are stiff and do not fill up with blood easily.
Heart failure may affect only one side of the heart. More often, both sides of the heart are involved.
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. Heart failure can also occur when an infection weakens the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy). Diseases such as emphysema, severe anemia, hyperthyroidism, or hypothyroidism are also possible causes.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
Add a CommentComments
There are no comments yet. Be the first one and get the conversation started!