Learning About Heart Failure Heart failure does not mean that your heart fails (or stops) suddenly. It means that your heart does not pump blood to the body as well as it should. As a rule, it begins when you have some other problem that weakens your heart, such as: • a heart attack or coronary artery disease • high blood pressure
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• a faulty heart valve • infection in your heart muscle
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• unknown causes (idiopathic) A healthy heart can quickly pump blood to all parts of your body. But, when it’s weak, it can’t do this. Blood backs up in your lungs and other parts of your body (just like a traffic jam backs up when there is too much traffic). Because of this, it is sometimes called “congestive heart failure” or CHF.
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Weak left heart
Weak right heart When the weakness is in the right side of the heart, blood backs up into your veins. You may:
When the weakness is in the left side of the heart, fluid will back up into your lungs. You may:
• h ave swelling in your legs and ankles
• feel short of breath • have a dry, hacking cough
• b e sore or bloated around your abdomen area (belly)
• wake up breathless at night • fi nd you cannot sleep unless you prop up on pillows or sit up in a chair
• feel tired a lot • not feel like eating
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Very often you can have both left heart and right heart weakness.
Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. Bringing Patients & Health Together ®
Atlanta, GA
800-241-4925
Product # 367
Learning About Heart Failure Fluid buildup
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When you have heart failure, your kidneys think your body doesn’t have enough blood since your heart is pumping less blood to them. As a result, they hold fluid (water and salt) in your body instead of sending it out in your urine. Your heart has to work harder to pump this extra fluid as well as the blood it normally pumps. This extra work weakens your heart even more.
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A sudden weight gain may be a sign that you are holding fluid. You need to check your weight every day to see if it has gone up. If it goes up 3-4 pounds in a day or two, it is most likely from holding fluid rather than an actual weight gain.
left ventricle
kidney
What can be done about heart failure Heart failure can range from mild to severe. It won’t go away, but it can be treated. Your treatment plan might include: ❐ taking daily medicines as directed ❐ resting
❐ not smoking or being around anyone who does ❐ losing weight if you are too heavy
❐ reducing stress ❐ following an exercise plan given by your healthcare provider
❐ limiting or avoiding caffeine and alcohol ❐ having regular checkups
❐ eating less salt, fat and cholesterol
❐ avoiding hard exercise that makes you strain
❐ limiting fluids
Following your treatment plan may give your heart the help it needs to pump better. When this happens, you can live a more normal life. Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. Bringing Patients & Health Together ®
Atlanta, GA
800-241-4925
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