Understanding heart failure : Your online pharmacy selection

What is heart failure and how is it diagnosed?

Heart failure is a medical condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump blood efficiently to meet the body's needs. It can result from a variety of conditions that have damaged or overloaded the heart, such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, heart valve disease, and diabetes.

Diagnosis usually begins with a physical examination and evaluation of symptoms, such as dyspnea (shortness of breath), persistent fatigue, and fluid retention. Complementary tests such as echocardiography, chest X-rays, blood tests (to measure levels of BNP, a marker of cardiac stress) and electrocardiogram (ECG) are also used to assess heart function and structure.

What are the symptoms of heart failure?

Symptoms ofheart failure can vary, but generally include:

• Dyspnea: difficulty breathing during activities or while lying down.
• Fatigue and weakness: inability to perform daily tasks without excessive fatigue.
• Edema: swelling of the legs, ankles and feet due to fluid accumulation.
• Rapid weight gain: linked to water retention.
• Coughing or wheezing: with white or pink sputum.
• Urgent need to urinate at night (nocturia).

These symptoms require medical evaluation to confirm the diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment.

How is heart failure treated?

Treatment ofheart failure aims to improve symptoms, slow disease progression and reduce mortality. Options include:

• Medications: Diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta-blockers, and aldosterone receptor antagonists are frequently prescribed.aldosterone receptor antagonists are frequently prescribed to help control blood pressure and reduce the heart's workload.
• Lifestylemodification: Adopt a low-salt diet, maintain a healthy weight, avoid alcohol and tobacco, and take regular exercise adapted to individual capabilities.
• Surgical interventions: such as implantation of a ventricular assist device, or heart transplantation may be considered for severe cases.

What recent advances have been made in the treatment of heart failure?

Recent advances in the treatment ofheart failure include the development of new drugs such as SGLT2 inhibitors, which have shown a reduction in hospitalizations for heart failure. In addition, remote monitoring technologies via implantable devices now enable better patient monitoring, allowing early treatment adjustments that can prevent exacerbations.

What impact does heart failure have on quality of life?

The impact ofheart failure on quality of life can be significant, affecting the ability to carry out daily activities and contributing to emotional distress. Effective symptom management, psychological support and open communication with a healthcare team can help improve quality of life.

How can heart failure be prevented?

Preventingheart failure involves managing risk factors:

• Controlling high blood pressure.
• Diabetes management.
• Smoking cessation.
• Regular exercise.
• A balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables, and low in saturated fats and salt.

These measures can help reduce the risk of developing heart failure or, in people already suffering from the disease, slow its progression.

What are the different types of heart failure?

Heart failure can be classified according to several criteria, including the part of the heart affected and the nature of the heart dysfunction:

• Systolic heart failure: where the heart is unable to pump with sufficient force.
• Diastolic heart failure: where the heart cannot fill with blood adequately.
• Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: the heart pumps normally but is rigid.
• Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: the heart is weakened and the amount of blood pumped is less than normal.
• Right heart failure: mainly affects circulation to the lungs.
• Left heart failure: affects circulation to the rest of the body.

Each of these types may require a specific therapeutic approach to optimize disease management.

How does heart failure affect other organs?

Heart failure has a profound impact on other organs of the body due to the reduced efficiency of cardiac pumping, which can lead to:

• Renal failure: reduced renal function due to inadequate blood perfusion.
• Liver dysfunction: congestion of the liver, leading to liver failure due to fluid accumulation.
• Pulmonary congestion: accumulation of fluid in the lungs, causing breathing difficulties.
• Peripheral edema: accumulation of fluid in the legs and feet.

Managing heart failure effectively helps minimize its impact on these organs, and improve patients' survival and quality of life.

How important is regular follow-up for heart failure patients?

Regular follow-up is crucial forheart failure patients, as it enables treatments to be adjusted, disease progression to be monitored and potential complications to be detected early. This follow-up may include:

• Frequent assessments: periodic checks on cardiac function via tests such as the echocardiogram.
• Therapeutic adjustments: modification of drug doses or introduction of new treatments as the condition evolves.
• Patient education: information on symptom management and lifestyle changes needed to control the disease.

What are the challenges of managing heart failure in the elderly?

Managingheart failure in the elderly can be complicated by a number of factors:

• Polymedication: managing interactions between numerous medications prescribed for various conditions.
• Comorbidities: the presence of other diseases that can aggravate heart failure or complicate its treatment.
• Sensitivity to medication: the elderly are often more sensitive to the side effects of treatment.
• Cognitive and social problems: challenges related to understanding medical instructions and social isolation.

These challenges require a holistic, personalized approach to ensure optimal heart failure management.