Why does heart failure occur and how can it be diagnosed and treated?

No Comments

The word “heart failure” is frequently misunderstood to mean that the heart is no longer able to function and that it is the end of the road. Heart failure, on the other hand, signifies that the heart isn’t pumping blood all over the body as well as it should, and it can be effectively treated with prompt medical intervention.

A simpler definition of heart failure would be – a gradual yet chronic illness in which the heart is unable to keep up with the body’s blood and oxygen demands by pumping enough blood. As a result, the heart enlarges, gains mass, or starts pumping faster to compensate.

These coping methods frequently mask the early signs of heart failure, and by the time symptoms appear, the problem has already progressed.

Causes of heart failure:

There can be multiple causes of heart failure. Congestive heart failure can be the result of a coronary artery disease, heart attack, cardiomyopathy, valve disease, thyroid disease, high blood pressure, heart defects present at birth, and many other factors.

A heart attack occurs when a coronary artery abruptly becomes clogged, cutting off blood supply to the heart muscle. The heart muscle is damaged after so, leaving a scarred patch that does not operate normally.

Coronary artery disease, in which the arteries become clogged or severely restricted, deprives the heart of oxygenated blood, is one of the most common causes of heart failure.

Symptoms of heart failure:

The symptoms of heart failure can range from moderate to severe. The most prevalent ones are

congested lungs,
irregular heartbeats,
weakness due to decreased blood flow to key organs,
fluid and water retention due to decreased blood flow to the kidneys,
Dizziness or disorientation can be caused by a lack of circulation to the brain and hence, is a common symptom.

Although some people experience these symptoms on a regular basis, they may not always indicate a weaker heart.

Compensatory processes in the body, such as constricting blood arteries to control blood pressure or diverting blood away from less critical organs, often conceal these symptoms. As a result, people frequently wait too long to receive a diagnosis.

Diagnosis & Treatments of heart failure:

Blood tests, echocardiograms, ejection fraction, chest X-rays, and other tests are used in heart treatment hospitals to diagnose cardiac disorders. A B-type natriuretic peptide blood test is used to diagnose the worsening of a heart problem. It’s a chemical secreted by the heart in reaction to blood pressure variations.

Chronic heart failure treatments are now more accessible than ever before, thanks to advances in medical infrastructure and the cardiac pharmaceutical sector.

Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, heart pump medications, calcium channel blockers, blood vessel dilators, diuretics, selective sinus node inhibitors, and other pharmaceuticals are examples of typical types of medicines used to treat heart disorders.

Heart failure prevention can also be achieved through participating in doctor-recommended cardiac rehabilitation programmes that promote a heart-healthy living.

The Bahekar Superspeciality Hospital and Research Centre in Gondia has established itself as India’s best cardiology hospital. With a long-standing distinction in heart healthcare and wellness, this hospital has time and again proven itself to be the best center for medical treatment and attention.

The Clinical Cardiology Department was established under the strong leadership of Dr. Deepak Bahekar, Director of Bahekar Superspeciality Hospital. It has performed over 1000 cardiac procedures, including angiographies, angioplasties, pacemaker implantations at PAMI, procedures involving valves, and procedures in pediatric cardiology, with great success.

Apart from these treatments, the department covers all diagnostic cardiac procedures such as echocardiography, 3D ECHO, Transesophageal ECHO, Holter testing, ELR (Extended loop recording), TILT table testing, Ambulatory BP monitoring, and Pacemaker analysis.

With an eye on holistic cardiac care, Bahekar Superspeciality Hospital in Nagpur becomes the premier destination for all your healthcare needs.