The unfortunate truth is that your body slows down as you reach your 60s and 70s. Climbing the stairs, which he used to climb two at a time, now feels as difficult as climbing Mount Everest. While some loss of energy can be attributed to natural aging, fatigue and shortness of breath can also be signals that your heart isn’t working properly.
Causes of heart failure
Heart failure occurs when something damages the heart muscle or reduces the heart’s ability to pump effectively. In most cases, the damage results from coronary artery disease or a heart attack. However, it may also be caused by a defective heart valve, long-standing high blood pressure, or a genetic disorder. Whatever the cause, a malfunctioning heart is no longer able to pump enough to meet the body’s demand for oxygen-rich blood.
Early symptoms of heart failure
“There is a general tendency for people to ignore symptoms of heart failure and attribute them simply to aging, so it was very important to create a way to easily identify these symptoms,” said Medical Director said Dr. Mandeep R. Mehra. from the Heart and Vascular Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard University.
Characteristics of heart failure
To help both doctors and patients quickly discover possible combinations of heart failure symptoms, the American Heart Failure Association has developed a useful tool known by the acronym FACES.
F = Fatigue. When the heart is unable to pump enough oxygen-rich blood to meet the body’s energy needs, a general feeling of fatigue and fatigue begins.
A = activity restriction. People with heart failure are often unable to carry out normal activities because they tire easily and are short of breath.
C = traffic jam. Fluid buildup in the lungs can cause coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
E = edema or swelling of the ankle. If the heart doesn’t have enough pumping power to force used blood back out of the legs, fluid can collect in the ankles, legs, thighs, and abdomen. Excess fluid can also cause rapid weight gain.
S = Shortness of breath. Fluid in the lungs makes it difficult for used carbon dioxide in the blood to be exchanged for fresh oxygen. It may also be difficult to breathe when you lie down because gravity moves fluids from beneath your lungs into your torso.
These five warning signs by themselves don’t confirm a diagnosis of heart failure, but they do convey a sense of urgency to seek medical advice, Dr. Mehra says.
heart failure test
In addition to the physical exam, doctors have two other important tools to detect the presence of heart failure. The first is an echocardiogram (often called an echo). This is a simple, non-invasive test that uses ultrasound to create images of the heart as it beats. If the echo shows that a lower than normal rate of blood leaves the heart when the left ventricle contracts, heart muscle damage is likely.
Other findings that indicate heart failure include abnormal thickening or ballooning of the heart wall and malfunctioning heart valves.
The next step in identifying early-onset heart failure is to look for biomarkers in the blood, such as B-type natriuretic peptide, which is released when the heart is stressed. “I call these compounds ‘heart tears’ because they signal that the heart is calling for help,” Dr. Mehra says. Once the initial diagnosis is confirmed, further tests may be needed to determine the cause of the heart malfunction and determine the best treatment.
Heart failure treatment options
Heart failure caused by heart damage that develops over time cannot be cured. However, it can often be treated with strategies to improve symptoms. Your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan that includes lifestyle changes, medications, devices, surgical procedures, and ongoing care.
Medications to avoid in case of heart failurePeople with heart failure often take multiple medications. However, some commonly used prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements can have dangerous interactions that can worsen heart failure symptoms. To be safe, make sure all your health care providers have a complete list of all the medications you take. Certain compounds to watch out for include:
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