Swelling in the body indicates problems in heart

A generation ago, heart disease affected mostly men in their 50s and 60s. But now, it’s affecting more women and men in their 20s to 40s. The issue stems from the fact that most young adults don’t realize they’re at risk of a heart attack and do little or nothing to improve their health, say experts

Heart failure is a condition characterized by inability of the heart to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. The term "heart failure" doesn't necessarily mean that the heart has stopped or is about to stop working. Heart failure is a common, serious, costly and potentially fatal condition that requires immediate medical care. In the first year after diagnosis the chance of fatality is about 35 per cent.

Dr Sai Sudhakar, chief cardiac transplant physician, senior interventional cardiologist and director, Cath Lab, Global Hospitals and Dr Rahul Chandola, senior consultant, cardiothoracic surgeon and heart & lung transplantation specialist, Global Hospitals answer questions regarding heart failure.

What Causes Heart Failure?

Conditions that damage or overwork the heart muscle can cause heart failure. As the heart weakens over a period of time, certain proteins and other substances may be released into the blood. These substances have a toxic effect on the heart and blood flow, and they worsen the condition further.

Common Causes of Heart Failure

The most common causes of heart failure are coronary heart disease (CHD), high blood pressure, and diabetes. Hence, treating these problems can prevent heart failure.

There are many other diseases and conditions that can also lead to heart failure, such as:

Cardiomyopathy or heart muscle disease: Cardiomyopathy may be present at birth or may develop due to injury or infection.

Heart valve disease: Problems with the heart valves may be present at birth or due to infection, heart attack, or damage from heart disease.

Arrhythmias or irregular heartbeats: These heart problems may be present at birth or due to heart disease or heart defects.

Congenital heart defects

These heart problems are present at the birth of the child. Other factors also can injure the heart muscle and lead to heart failure.

 Heart Failure Symptoms:

The symptoms of heart failure include persistent coughing, tiredness and shortness of breath, pulmonary edema (excess fluid in lungs), pleural effusion (excess fluid around lungs), pumping action of the heart grows weaker, swelling in abdomen and swelling in ankles and legs.

How is Heart Failure Diagnosed?

The diagnosis is done based on the medical and family history, a physical examination, and a couple of tests. Because the signs and symptoms of heart failure are common in other conditions, the doctor will:

Find out whether one has a disease or condition that can cause heart failure, such as coronary heart disease (CHD), high blood pressure, or diabetes.

Rule out other causes of the symptoms.

Find any damage to the heart and check how well the heart pumps blood.

If there is any medical or family history, early diagnosis and treatment of heart failure can help people live longer and be more active in their life.

Managing Heart Failure

Generally heart failure can’t be cured but one can learn to manage its symptoms. The following are some of the tips.

Taking medicine is a key factor in treating heart failure.

It is important to decrease the amount of sodium in your diet as it causes extra fluid to build up in your body.

Four basic steps to reduce sodium in your diet:

Stop adding salt to your food

Adapt your preferred foods to low sodium versions

Fresh fruits and vegetables including freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices have very little sodium. The same is true for fresh meat, poultry and fish.

3. Exercise is good for you!

Improve the flow of blood through the body

Strengthen your heart and body

Tone your energy level

Manage stress 

Who needs a Heart transplant: Some people have severe, progressive heart failure that can't be helped by medications and dietary and lifestyle changes. In such cases a heart transplant may be the only effective treatment option. Surgeons replace the damaged heart with a healthy one taken from a donor who has been declared brain dead. The outlook for people with heart transplants is good now-a-days with the availability of current and latest generation immunosuppressive agents also because of this the chances of rejection post transplant have become less.  With the exception of having to take lifelong medication to keep the body from rejecting the new heart, many heart transplant recipients lead long and productive lives.  Also due to more awareness and due to increase in the availability of donors more heart transplants have become a reality and a boon for patients with refractory heart failure. In fact, we have a people who have lived a healthy life after undergoing a heart transplant for more than 20 years and the longest surviving patient is living even after 31-years after a heart transplant.