What is heart failure?

Submitted by Emma Hamilton on Fri, 05/09/2008 - 2:09pm

Heart failure also known as congestive cardiac failure or CHF is a serious heart condition.

Heart failure is generally a chronic long term condition affecting older people. However, heart failure can affect younger people and happen suddenly.

Over 10% of Australians aged over 65 will develop heart failure (Heart Foundation 2009).

Heart failure explained

Heart failure is not a normal part of ageing and does not mean the heart has stopped.

Chronic heart failure occurs when the heart fails to pump blood efficiently around the body. The blood pools in the hearts chambers and nearby veins. As the heart weakens blood and fluid accumulate in the lungs, ankles and abdomen.

If the heart is not working effectively essential nutrients and oxygen fail to reach the vital organs. This can cause damage to the organs and over time they work less effectively.

Heart failure can affect the right side, the left side or both sides of the heart.

Damage to the heart due to heart failure usually affects both sides of the heart in some capacity. Sometimes one side of the heart is affected more than the other.

Heart failure occurring in the left side of the heart can cause a build up of fluid in the lungs making it difficult to breath. This is why heart failure is often referred to as congestive heart failure.

Accumulation of fluid occurring in the right side of the heart will cause swelling in other parts of the body including the legs and abdomen.

What causes heart failure?

Heart failure can be caused by a number of conditions that damage the heart muscle making it stiffer and thicker. The damaged heart fails to fill with blood effectively or pump adequate amounts of blood around the body.

Some conditions damage the heart over time, other disorders can cause heart failure suddenly (heart attack).

Chronic heart failure generally affects older people as they are more likely to suffer from conditions that damage the heart such as coronary heart disease and hypertension.

A number of conditions increase your risk of heart failure including:

Heart attacks
Coronary heart disease (narrowed and clogged arteries)
High blood pressure (Hypertension)
Cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle)
Thyroid conditions
Heart valve disorders

Treatment of chronic heart failure involves treating the underlying cause and managing the symptoms. The condition can usually be managed by medicines and lifestyle changes.

People living with chronic heart failure can now live fuller and longer lives by learning more about heart failure and working with their health care team.

Click here to see: Heart failure symptoms