|
|
Heart Failure
Alternate Names : CHF, Congestive Heart Failure
Definition
Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure, is a disorder in which the heart loses its ability to pump blood efficiently. The term "heart failure" should not be confused with cardiac arrest, a situation in which the heart actually stops beating.
Pictures & Images
See all Pictures & Images
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Heart failure is almost always a chronic, long-term condition, although it can sometimes develop suddenly. This condition may affect the right side, the left side, or both sides of the heart.
As the heart's pumping action is lost, blood may back up into other areas of the body:
With heart failure, many organs don't receive enough oxygen and nutrients, which damages them and reduces their ability to function properly. Most areas of the body can be affected when both sides of the heart fail.
The most common causes of heart failure are the chronic cardiovascular diseases hypertension (high blood pressure) and coronary artery disease. Other structural or functional causes of heart failure include the following:
-
Valvular heart disease
-
-
-
Lung disease
-
Approximately 2 out of every 100 people between the ages of 27 and 74 have heart failure. Heart failure becomes more common with advancing age.
Today's Top News Stories | | Sen. Edward Kennedy Hospitalized After Seizure - May 17, 2008, 16:51 His carotid artery was cleared of a partial blockage last fall. | | Cheaper Earrings More Likely to Contain Nickel - May 17, 2008, 09:00 But report could not establish safe-limit price as guide for avoiding exposure. | | FDA Panel Considers Toll-Free Number for TV Drug Ads - May 17, 2008, 07:00 Consumers could report side effects, but critics want agency to act, not wait years. | | Not All Colon Cancer Patients Need Chemotherapy: Study - May 16, 2008, 14:00 DNA mismatch in some early stage cases makes therapy of little benefit, shortens survival. | | Clinical Trials Update: May 16, 2008 - May 16, 2008, 10:40
- Adenocarcinoma
- Migraine and Cluster Headaches
- Pancreatic Cancer
|
|
Jump to another section
Definition Heart Failure Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors Heart Failure Symptoms & Signs Heart Failure Prevention Heart Failure Diagnosis & Tests Heart Failure Treatment Heart Failure Prognosis Heart Failure Complications Calling Your Health Care Provider
Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
Alcoholism Anemia Angina - Stable Arrhythmias Atrial Myxoma - Left Cardiomyopathy Digitalis Toxicity Dilated Cardiomyopathy Heart Disease Hypertension Hyperthyroidism Kidney Disease Left-Sided Heart Failure Pleural Effusion Pulmonary Edema Right-Sided Heart Failure Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Tests & Exams
Blood Pressure BUN CBC CHEM-20 Chest X-Ray Coronary Angiography Creatinine - Serum Creatinine Clearance Dialysis ECG Echocardiogram Liver Function Tests Nuclear Ventriculography (MUGA or RNV) Pericardiocentesis Pulse Serum Sodium Swan-Ganz - Right Heart Catheterization Thoracic CT Uric Acid Urinalysis
Surgery & Procedures
Heart Transplant
Other Topics
Abdomen - Swollen Alcohol Use Appetite - Decreased Auscultation Blood Pressure - Low Breathing Difficulty Chest Pain Chronic Consciousness - Decreased Cough Diarrhea Fainting Fatigue Fever Foot, Leg, and Ankle Swelling Headache Heart Murmurs and Other Sounds Heartbeat Sensations Heartburn Hepatomegaly Indigestion Intravenous Nausea and Vomiting Obesity Physical Examination Sleeping Difficulty Swelling Systemic Urination - Excessive at Night Urine Output - Decreased Weakness Weight Gain - Unintentional Weight Loss - Unintentional
Review Date : 10/31/2001
Reviewed By : Elena Sgarbossa, M.D., Department of Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
|
|