Heart failure

Key Points

Overview

Heart failure means your heart struggles to pump blood effectively throughout your body. This usually happens because the heart muscle has become too weak or stiff. It doesn't mean your heart has stopped working, but rather that it needs support to function better. This condition can occur at any age but is more common in older individuals. Heart failure is a long-term illness that typically worsens gradually. While it cannot usually be cured, its symptoms can often be managed for many years. Treatment aims to control symptoms and slow the disease's progression. Management depends on the underlying cause and may include lifestyle changes, medications, implanted devices, or surgery.

Signs and Symptoms

• Breathlessness after activity or at rest
• Constant tiredness
• Exhaustion from exercise
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Swelling in ankles and legs
• Persistent cough
• Fast heart rate
• Dizziness

Things That Increase the Risk

• Coronary heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Heart muscle diseases (cardiomyopathy)
• Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
• Damaged heart valves
• Heart birth defects (congenital heart disease)
• Obesity
• Anaemia
• Heavy alcohol use
• Overactive thyroid
• High lung pressure (pulmonary hypertension)

Diagnosis

• GP visit for ongoing symptoms
• Blood tests
• ECG (heart tracing)
• Echocardiogram (heart scan)
• Emergency care for sudden or severe symptoms

Treatment & Management

• Healthy lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, no smoking)
• Multiple medications (often 2-3 types)
• Implanted devices for heart rhythm control
• Surgery like bypass operation or heart transplant
• Lifelong treatment
• Cure possible if underlying cause is treatable (e.g., valve repair)

Prevention

• Maintain a healthy diet
• Engage in regular exercise
• Avoid smoking
• Control high blood pressure
• Manage existing heart conditions
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Seek early medical advice for symptoms

Related Diseases

• Coronary heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Cardiomyopathy
• Atrial fibrillation
• Heart valve disease
• Congenital heart disease
• Pulmonary hypertension

Available Treatments

Explore our range of treatment options for Heart failure:

Surgical Options

Learn about surgical procedures available for Heart failure: