Heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot pump blood efficiently to meet the body’s needs; the main symptoms are fatigue, shortness of breath with usual activities when putting on shoes when lying down, swelling in the legs and abdomen, accelerated weight gain due to fluid retention, chest pain and palpitations.
For the diagnosis, the physician will use several tools including clinical history, personal and family history, physical examination, laboratory tests to evaluate possible triggers of the disease and its repercussions and other diagnostic aids such as chest x-ray, echocardiogram and in special scenarios, cardiac catheterization, holter, cardiac resonance, among others.
Untreated heart failure can lead to complications such as pulmonary edema, which is the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, kidney problems, arrhythmias, deterioration in quality of life, recurrent hospitalizations, low cardiac output and death.
Treatment has several pillars: lifestyle changes such as a low-salt diet, regular exercise, healthy eating and weight control; on the other hand, there is a group of essential drugs that modify the natural history of the disease and improve symptoms.
It is also important to evaluate the need for medical devices, surgery and procedures such as coronary arteriography, bypass surgery, valve repair or replacement, or cardiac transplantation, as appropriate.
You should consult an emergency room if you have sudden weight gain, shortness of breath at rest or with minimal effort, progressive swelling, extreme fatigue, severe chest pain, rapid or irregular palpitations lasting more than 30 minutes, or that cause pain, choking, or loss of consciousness.
Remember to always consult your cardiologist for specific information and guidance on your situation.
At Sincro we have a team of specialists that allow us to perform an integral control of your pathologies, schedule your appointment here