Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure, commonly referred to as heart failure, is a chronic illness that becomes worse over time. The condition is typically caused by a weakened or stiff heart, which leads to its inability to pump blood as efficiently as it normally would. Blood might back up as a result and fluid may accumulate in the lungs, resulting in shortness of breath and swelling in the legs and feet.

Types of heart failure

Left-sided heart failure: Shortness of breath caused by a build-up of fluids in the lungs
Right-sided heart failure: Swelling caused by a build-up of fluids in the abdomen, legs, and feet
Systolic heart failure: Inability of the heart to effectively pump blood due to the left ventricle contracting weakly
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: Issues with the filling of the heart due to the left ventricle not being able to relax or to be fully filled.

Causes

Heart failure typically develops after other conditions:

High blood pressure
Coronary artery disease
Cardiomyopathy (conditions that affect the cardiac muscle)
Problems with the heart rhythm (arrhythmias)
Damage or other issues related to the heart valves
Congenital heart disease (birth defects)
Hyperthyroidism (Overactivity of the thyroid gland)
Anaemia
Excessive intake of alcohol
High pressure in the blood vessels leading to the lungs from the heart (pulmonary hypertension)

Signs and symptoms

Shortness of breath following activity or while at rest
Congestion of lungs
Weakness and fatigue
Swelling of the legs and ankles caused by water retention
Constant coughing
Rapid or erratic heartbeat
Lightheadedness

Risk factors

Conditions including coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, congenital heart disease, heart attack, hypertension, abnormal heartbeats, diabetes, and heart-damaging or weakening viral infections
Specific medicines, which include diabetes drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); certain anaesthesia medicines; and certain medicines used to treat hypertension, blood conditions, cancer, irregular heartbeats, nervous system conditions, mental health conditions, lung and urinary issues, inflammatory diseases and infections
Overconsumption of alcohol
Obesity
Smoking
Sleep apnoea (difficulty breathing while sleeping)

Diagnosis