1. Treatments
1.1. Lifestyle Changes
1.1.1. Dietary changes (low-sodium diet)
1.1.2. Exercise programs
1.1.3. Fluid restriction
1.1.4. Smoking cessation
1.2. Medications
1.2.1. Diuretics (e.g., furosemide): To reduce fluid buildup.
1.2.2. ACE Inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril): To lower blood pressure and reduce heart workload.
1.2.3. Beta-blockers (e.g., carvedilol): To slow heart rate and reduce blood pressure.
1.2.4. Aldosterone Antagonists (e.g., spironolactone): To prevent sodium retention.
1.2.5. Inotropes: For severe cases to strengthen heart contraction.
1.2.6. Vasodilators (e.g., hydralazine): To relax blood vessels.
1.3. Possible Referrals
1.3.1. Cardiologist for specialized heart management
1.3.2. Nutritionist for dietary management
1.3.3. Physical therapist for exercise programs
1.3.4. Palliative care for severe, end-stage heart failure
1.4. Reference
1.4.1. Heidenreich, P. A., Bozkurt, B., Aguilar, D., Allen, L. A., Byun, J. J., Colvin, M. M., ... & Toth, K. (2022). 2022 ACC/AHA/HFSA heart failure performance measures: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Performance Measures and the Heart Failure Society of America. *Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 80*(24), 2304-2342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2022.09.045
1.4.2. Writing Group Members et al. (2022). 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA guideline for the management of heart failure: Executive Summary: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation, 145(18), e876-e894
2. Signs and Symptoms
2.1. Signs and Symptoms
2.1.1. Shortness of breath (dyspnea), especially on exertion
2.1.2. Fatigue and weakness
2.1.3. Swelling (edema) in the legs, ankles, or feet
2.1.4. Rapid or irregular heartbeat
2.1.5. Reduced ability to exercise
2.1.6. Persistent cough or wheezing
2.1.7. Increased need to urinate at night (nocturia)
2.1.8. Ascites (abdominal swelling)
2.1.9. Sudden weight gain due to fluid retention
2.2. Impact on Other Body Systems
2.2.1. Respiratory: Pulmonary edema
2.2.2. Renal: Reduced kidney function due to decreased blood flow
2.2.3. Nervous: Cognitive impairment due to decreased cerebral perfusion
2.2.4. Gastrointestinal: Liver congestion
2.3. Possible Complications
2.3.1. Kidney damage or failure
2.3.2. Heart arrhythmias
2.3.3. Stroke
2.3.4. Sudden cardiac arrest
2.3.5. Liver damage (congestive hepatopathy)
3. Diagnostics
3.1. Echocardiogram: To assess ejection fraction (EF), heart size, and function.
3.2. Electrocardiogram (ECG): To identify heart rhythm problems or evidence of previous heart attacks.
3.3. Chest X-ray: To check for heart enlargement and fluid in the lungs.
3.4. Blood Tests
3.4.1. B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) or NT-proBNP: Elevated levels indicate heart failure.
3.4.2. Complete Blood Count (CBC): To check for anemia or infection.
3.4.3. Renal Function Tests: To assess kidney function.
3.4.4. Thyroid Function Tests: To rule out thyroid disorders.
3.4.5. Liver Function Tests: To check for liver congestion
3.5. Reference
3.5.1. McDonagh, T. A., et al. (2021). 2021 ESC guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure: Developed by the Task Force for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). European Heart Journal, 42(36), 3599-3726
4. Pathophysiology & Etiology
4.1. Pathophysiology
4.1.1. Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump efficiently to meet the body's oxygen demands. It often results from conditions that weaken or stiffen the heart muscle.
4.2. Etiology
4.2.1. Common causes include coronary artery disease, hypertension, myocardial infarction, valvular heart disease, and cardiomyopathy.
4.3. Risk Factors
4.3.1. Hypertension
4.3.2. Coronary artery disease
4.3.3. Diabetes
4.3.4. Obesity
4.3.5. Smoking
4.3.6. Age (older adults)
4.3.7. Family history of heart disease
4.3.8. Sedentary lifestyle
4.3.9. Excessive alcohol consumption