Systemic Consequences of Pulmonary Hypertension and Right-Sided Heart Failure | Circulation
Types Of Heart Failure
Heart disease refers to any condition affecting the cardiovascular system. Each type of heart disease affects the heart and blood vessels in different ways.
Coronary artery disease
As a result, the blood supply reduces, and the heart receives less oxygen and fewer nutrients. In time, the heart muscle weakens, increasing the risk of heart failure and arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).
Plaque in the arteries can rupture from blockages and cause blood flow to stop, which can lead to a heart attack.
Congenital heart defects
Congenital heart disease can involve major structural issues, such as the absence of a ventricle or problems with unusual connections between the main arteries that leave the heart.
Minor congenital heart defects may not cause any noticeable symptoms and only become apparent during a routine medical check.
Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia refers to an irregular heartbeat. It occurs when the electrical impulses that coordinate the heartbeat do not work correctly. The heart may beat too quickly, too slowly, or erratically.
Types of arrhythmias include:
Arrhythmia may cause a fluttering or a racing heart. In some cases, arrhythmias can be life threatening or have severe complications.
Dilated cardiomyopathy
In dilated cardiomyopathy, the heart chambers become dilated, meaning that the heart muscle stretches and becomes thinner. As a result, the heart becomes weaker and cannot pump blood properly.
Potential causes of dilated cardiomyopathy include past heart attacks, arrhythmias, and toxins. Sometimes, there is no apparent cause.
Dilated cardiomyopathy can lead to complications such as arrhythmias, blood clots, and heart valve issues.
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction, or a heart attack, involves an interruption of the blood flow to the heart. This can damage or destroy part of the heart muscle.
CAD is the most common cause of heart attack. However, it can also occur if an artery suddenly narrows or spasms.
Heart failure
When someone has heart failure, their heart is still working, but not as well as it should be. Congestive heart failure is a type of heart failure that can occur from problems with the pumping or relaxing function. It requires prompt treatment.
Heart failure can result from untreated CAD, high blood pressure, arrhythmias, and other conditions. These conditions can affect the heart's ability to pump or relax properly.
Heart failure can be life threatening, but early treatment can help prevent complications.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
This condition usually develops when a genetic problem affects the heart muscle. It tends to be an inherited condition.
The walls of the muscle thicken, and contractions become harder. This affects the heart's ability to take in and pump out blood. In some cases, an obstruction can occur.
There may be no symptoms, and many people do not receive a diagnosis until later in life. However, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can worsen over time and lead to various heart problems.
Anyone with a family history of this condition can speak with a healthcare professional about screening, as receiving treatment can help prevent complications.
Mitral valve regurgitation
This occurs when the mitral valve in the heart does not close tightly enough, allowing blood to flow back into the heart.
As a result, blood cannot move through the heart or body efficiently. This can put pressure on the heart's chambers. In time, the heart can become enlarged, and heart failure can occur.
Mitral valve prolapse
Mitral valve prolapse happens when the valve flaps of the mitral valve do not close properly. Instead, they bulge into the left atrium, and can cause a heart murmur.
Genetic factors and connective tissue problems can cause this condition. This condition is not usually life threatening, but some people may need treatment.
Aortic stenosis
In aortic stenosis, the aortic valve is thick or fused and does not open correctly. This makes it hard for the heart to pump blood from the left ventricle into the aorta — the main artery that carries blood from the heart.
People may be born with aortic stenosis due to congenital anomalies of the valve, or it may develop over time due to calcium deposits or scarring.
Heart disease symptoms depend on the specific condition someone has. Some heart conditions cause no symptoms at all.
That said, the following symptoms may indicate a heart problem:
In children, the symptoms of a congenital heart defect may include cyanosis, or a blue tinge to the skin, and an inability to exercise.
Heart attack symptoms
Some heart conditions, such as a heart attack, require urgent medical attention. Symptoms that could indicate a heart attack include:
Heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest, which is when the heart stops and the body can no longer function. People need immediate medical attention if they have any symptoms of a heart attack.
If cardiac arrest occurs, the person will need:
Living With Congestive Heart Failure
Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, is a condition where your heart can no longer pump enough blood for your body. It often occurs along with other life-threatening complications.
"Many patients hear 'heart failure' and immediately think 'heart transplant' or 'death,'" Sara Tabtabai, MD, co-director of the University of Connecticut Heart Failure Center, told Health. However, many people live for years with heart failure. "I try to reassure them that for most patients there are many options before we get anywhere near that: Our focus is to decrease or eliminate symptoms and improve heart function as best we can.
Heart failure doesn't mean the heart stops pumping entirely. Rather, there are two types of heart failure—left-sided heart failure is when the left side of the heart works harder to pump the same amount of blood while right-sided heart failure usually occurs as a result of left-sided heart failure due to increased fluid pressure in the left side. Heart failure can be caused by other conditions such as: Arrhythmia (a problem with your heartbeat) Cardiomyopathy Congenital heart defects Coronary artery disease Heart attack High blood pressure Diabetes Heart failure typically develops slowly as other conditions progress, but it can also occur suddenly. You can live with heart failure, but it may cause problems with your body and other organs. Symptoms can vary depending on whether you have right- or left-sided heart failure and how serious your condition is. But some symptoms may include: Shortness of breath Fatigue or weakness Coughing Swelling in your ankles, lower legs, or abdomen Difficulty sleeping Nausea Loss of appetite "People can feel really fatigued, or experience a decrease in their ability to exercise or do daily activities," said Dr. Tabtabai. "Shortness of breath is very common, and so is swelling of the legs or ankles." When swelling occurs—due to blood not circulating properly and fluid accumulating in the lower extremities—the condition can be called congestive heart failure. There is no cure for heart failure, and it will quickly get worse if left untreated. But the good news is that medications and lifestyle changes can help keep the condition under control. Medications There are plenty of medications that can be prescribed for heart failure. By working with a healthcare provider, you can figure out which medications are right for you depending on what type of heart failure you have, how severe it is, and whether you have any other conditions as well. Here are some medications that can help to improve the heart's function: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors Angiotensin II receptor blockers (or inhibitors) Angiotensin-receptor neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs) Beta blockers Aldosterone antagonists Diuretics "It's difficult to predict how patients will do, and it's not really based on the percentage their pumping function is reduced," said Dr. Tabtabai. "Some people have very low pumping function but they feel well, have minimal symptoms, and go on and live for a long time." It order to gain all of the benefits from the medication, it is important to take medications exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Lifestyle Changes Along with medications, making changes to your lifestyle can also help to treat heart failure by slowing the progression of disease, and improving your everyday life. Here are a few lifestyle changes you can make that can help to ease symptoms of heart failure: Reduce sodium in your diet Quit smoking Manage your stress Be physically active Treat other conditions you may have that contribute to heart failure According to Dr. Tabtabai, regular exercise and following a healthy diet early in life can help prevent heart disease—and related heart failure—later in life. It can also help people who do develop heart failure live longer and healthier. Managing blood pressure is also important, Dr. Tabtabai added. "In my practice, I try to identify people who are at risk of developing heart failure and heart disease and try to highlight that these sorts of lifestyle measures are really very beneficial," Dr. Tabtabai said. "If they can get in a good routine early in life, that's our best defense against developing these conditions down the line." In one study, exercise not only reduced the risk of developing heart failure but also reduced the chances of hospitalization or death for people with heart failure. Talk to your healthcare provider about gradually increasing your exercise routine at a pace that's safe and manageable. Surgery In advanced cases of heart failure, patients are sometimes treated with surgical procedures, including heart transplants or the implantation of a defibrillator or an artificial pump called a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). These options can be stressful for both patients and their caregivers, but they can also provide significant improvements in quality of life. Heart failure can be a difficult condition to manage but with medication, lifestyle changes, and maybe even surgery, you can live a healthy life. If you notice symptoms of heart failure—like shortness of breath, fatigue, or nausea—talk to a healthcare provider so they can figure out what is causing your symptoms and figure out a treatment plan that is right for you.Thanks for your feedback!
At-Home Foot Scanner Can Detect The Warning Signs Of Heart Failure
– credit Heartfelt Technologies, supplied to the media An AI-equipped foot scanner placed at one's bedside could be a lifesaving companion to those living with a risk of heart failure.
Developed by Heartfelt Technologies in concert with the UK's National Institute of Health, the scanner takes 1,800 photos of a person's two feet and analyzes them for signs of a fluid buildup called oedema, one of three best indicators of oncoming heart failure.
Heart failure occurs when the heart's inability to pump blood properly results in a buildup of fluid in the lungs and a lack of blood-derived oxygen reaching vital organs.
Dr. Philip Keeling, the lead author on a study debuting the invention who is also a consultant cardiologist at the South Devon National Health Service Foundation Trust, explained why such a device would be a key tool in combating heart failure, something which affects 1 million Brits every year.
"This device detects one of the big three warning signs for people with heart failure before they end up in hospital," he wrote, according to the BBC.
"Only about half of people admitted to hospital with heart failure currently get assigned an early review by a heart failure nurse who can check to see if they are suffering a harmful build-up of fluid because their heart is not working properly."
"Amid a shortage of heart failure nurses, a device like this can be like a virtual nurse, tracking people's health."
AI IN MEDICINE:
The study which Dr. Keeling helped run involved 26 patients across five NHS trusts. Alerts given by the device of potential heart failure came between eight and 19 days in advance of a hospitalization, giving a mean prediction time of 13 days, which is enough for measures to be taken that could prevent hospitalizations.
Six hospitalizations occurred during the trial period, and the device accurately predicted 5 of them. 82% of patients decided to keep the device after it ended.
"This small study suggests a simple device could significantly improve outcomes for at-risk patients with heart failure by keeping them out of hospital," said Dr. Bryan Williams. Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the British Heart Foundation which was not involved with the study.
SHARE This Impressive Use Of AI In Diagnosing Heart Failure…
Comments
Post a Comment