Heart failure is a condition where your heart can’t pump as much as it should. Depending on the type of heart failure, it may be because the heart has become too stiff or too large. Heart failure can occur in one side of the heart or both. Learn more about the types of heart failure, the risk factors, and the symptoms.
Each type of heart failure occurs in a different location and causes specific symptoms. Most heart failure cases can be traced back to left-sided heart failure. As the left ventricle struggles to perform as it should, other parts of the heart are affected, leading to further heart failure.
The left ventricle, on the left side of your heart, is your heart’s main pumping chamber. In left-sided heart failure, you may have fluid go into your lungs, which can cause shortness of breath.
The right ventricle pushes blood from your heart to your lungs. In right-sided heart failure, the heart can’t fill with enough blood, so the blood backs up into the veins. This type of heart failure often leads to swelling.
Systolic heart failure refers to the incomplete contraction of the left ventricle. If you have systolic heart failure, your heart can’t pump enough to push your blood throughout your body. You may suffer from confusion, a lack of appetite, or tiredness.
In diastolic heart failure, your left ventricle has stiffened and can’t relax properly between heartbeats. When your heart can’t relax, it can’t fill with enough blood before the next beat, which leads to insufficient blood flow.
Behaviors, lifestyle choices, and medical history combine to determine how much you are at risk for heart failure.
CAD, or coronary artery disease, is the most common type of heart disease. Symptoms can include arrhythmia, nausea, and heart attacks.
Over time, high blood pressure wears down the inner lining of arteries. You can lower your blood pressure with exercise, medications, and a diet low in salt.
Heart failure occurs when your heart is already weak or damaged. If you’ve had a heart attack, you are more likely to suffer from heart failure.
There are four valves in the heart: mitral valve, tricuspid valve, aortic valve, and the pulmonary valve. When any one of the four heart valves is damaged or diseased, you develop valvular heart disease.
Men are more likely to suffer from heart failure than women are. Men with male family members who have heart problems before the age of 55 are especially at risk for developing the condition.
Alcohol increases your heart rate and blood pressure, as well as weakens your heart. Long-term and excessive alcohol consumption wears down your heart and can lead to heart failure, strokes, and heart attacks.
Heart failure comes with a variety of symptoms. The symptoms that you have may depend on which side of your heart is experiencing heart failure. However, you can still be at risk for heart failure even without experiencing any symptoms.
If you suffer from heart failure or think you may be developing the condition, reach out to our health care experts. In terms of heart health, early prevention and detection can save your life. Our professionals at Heart of Dixie Cardiology can work with you to prevent, diagnose, and treat heart failure.
With offices in St. George, Cedar City, Kanab, and Mesquite, Heart of Dixie Cardiology can meet all your cardiac needs. Contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists today!
Heart of Dixie Cardiology is a specialty subset of the Revere Health group. We have over a dozen cardiology providers throughout our locations to give you the specialized heart care that you deserve.
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