disease
What is Heart Failure ?
What is Heart Failure ?
You can find all the necessary information to understand heart failure, its global impact, its causes and consequences, and how to get heart failure under control.
Heart failure is a condition where the heart is unable to pump blood around the body as well as it should. In other words, the heart can’t deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to allow the body to work normally.
Heart failure is characterized by several symptoms caused by fluid accumulation and reduced blood flow. The most common symptoms are edema (fluid retention), breathlessness, and tiredness.1
Heart failure is characterized by several symptoms caused by fluid accumulation and reduced blood flow. The most common symptoms are edema (fluid retention), breathlessness, and tiredness.1
Normal heart
Heart failure usually results in an enlarged heart
We asked several people what “75” meant to them
What about 75 ?
What is heart rate?
“It is the number of times the heart beats within a certain time period, usually a minute. The heart rate can be felt at the wrist, side of the neck, back of the knees, top of the foot, groin, and other places in the body where an artery is close to the skin. Measuring the heart rate gives important information about a person’s health. Also called pulse.”3
Did you know?
Normal heart beat should be 60-100
bpm. It can go up to 130-150 bpm when exercising. However, if you develop any symptoms or suspect your pulse is irregular, let your doctor know.2
What are the main symptoms?4
Fatigue
Your organs don’t receive enough oxygen and nutrients to work well, so you can feel tired easily.
Shortness of breath
Fluids may gather in your lungs, causing you to feel short of breath, when you are active, when lying flat, or walking.
Weight gain
You may gain more than 2 kg (3 lbs) in a week because of the fluids building up in your body.
Rapid heart beat
To compensate for its weakness, the heart may speed up.
Swelling
Fluids may gather in your legs, ankles, or abdomen causing edema.What can be the complications of heart failure?5
If you have heart failure, your outlook depends on the cause and the severity, your overall health, and other factors such as your age.6Some people’s symptoms and heart function will improve with proper treatment. However, heart failure can be life-threatening.6
Myth or fact?
HEART FAILURE MEANS YOUR HEART HAS STOPPED BEATING7
Myth
Heart failure doesn’t mean that your heart has stopped beating. Heart failure occurs when your heart muscle or valves have been damaged and so your heart isn’t able to pump blood around your body as well as it should.
HEART FAILURE IS SERIOUS7
Fact
Heart failure is a very serious condition and can shorten your life. However, by working with your doctor and nurse, you can get effective treatments and make changes to your lifestyle that will ease your symptoms, improve your quality of life, and prolong your life.
HEART FAILURE IS A NORMAL CONSEQUENCE OF GETTING OLD7
Myth
Heart failure affects all ages. Most people with heart failure are elderly; however, heart failure isn’t necessarily a consequence of age. It’s a serious cardiovascular condition that can often be prevented and greatly helped with available treatments.
MEASURING YOUR HEART RATE IS USELESS8
Myth
Elevations of heart rate, if sustained, can be a risk factor both for the development of heart failure and for mortality in patients with established heart failure. That’s why you need to discuss your heart rate levels with your doctor.
HEART FAILURE CAN’T BE TREATED7
Myth
There are many treatments available for heart failure that are very effective at reducing symptoms and delaying the progression of the condition. You should discuss treatment options with your doctor.
IF YOU HAVE HEART FAILURE YOU SHOULDN’T EXERCISE7
Myth
It’s very important for people with heart failure to exercise. However, it’s also important that you don’t overdo it. The right amount of exercise can help to improve blood flow and alleviate some of your symptoms.
HEART FAILURE IS COMMON7
Fact
Currently, we estimate that approximately 1% to 2% of the adult population in developed countries has heart failure, rising to ≥10% among people over 70 years of age.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO MANAGE HEART FAILURE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE9
Fact
Early care increases survival, avoids hospitalization, and improves quality of life.
1 | 8
References
8
Ponikowski P et al. Heart rate and blood pressure monitoring in heart failure. Eur Heart J . 2019;21(Suppl M):M13‑M16.
9
Gracia E. et al. Timely Management of New-Onset Heart Failure. Circulation. 2019;140(8):621–623.
Developed in consultation with The Global Heart Hub
