What We Have To Know About Heart Failure

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death both in Indonesia and in the world. This category includes heart and blood vessel problems, such as coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease, and other health conditions.

WHO says that cardiovascular disease—disorders of the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and rheumatic heart disease—causes 17.9 million deaths each year. One-third of these deaths occurred among people aged 70 and under.

To avoid heart disease, you can improve your physical activity, eat more vegetables and fruits, avoid processed and fatty foods, do not consume alcohol, and quit smoking. However, regular check-ups are just as crucial.

So when can we do it? As early as possible. The heart is a hard-working muscle that beats more than 100,000 times daily. If the heart fails to pump blood throughout the body, the effects will be fatal. This blood carries nutrients, oxygen, and toxins that injure the body.

If the heart cannot pump blood properly, blood and other fluids will build up in the lungs. Why does this happen? Damage to heart cells occurs gradually, forcing the heart to work harder. As a result, the heart's weakness and stiffens, making it unable to fill and pump blood optimally. This condition is known as heart failure.

Over time, the heart enlarges, increasing the pressure on the blood vessels. This often leads to fluid buildup, especially in the legs

Eventually, fluid also builds up in the lungs, causing shortness of breath. 

Therefore, symptoms of heart failure typically include shortness of breath when exercising or lying down, persistent fatigue and tiredness, swelling in the feet and ankles, heart palpitations, a persistent cough with white or pink mucus that is streaked with blood, swelling in the abdominal area, and chest pain.

A heart that cannot pump blood optimally can cause several diseases, including coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, chronic lung disease, and severe anemia.

Recognize the symptoms

If not appropriately treated, heart failure will worsen over time. Heart failure is incurable, although treatment helps control it.

Heart failure does not appear suddenly.

1. Some triggers precede it

Therefore, you should consult the doctor immediately if you have the symptoms below.

• chest discomfort, heaviness, or pain;
• shortness of breath or feeling short of breath on exertion or lying down;
• dizziness, constant tiredness, and fatigue;
• fast heartbeat;
• a cough that doesn't go away and produces white or pink mucus with streaks of blood;
• abdominal swelling;
• fluid buildup in the lungs, feet, or ankles; and
• syncope attacks.
  

2. Having risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and obesity

High blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. If your blood pressure is below 120/80 mm Hg, have it checked at least once every two years.

However, if your blood pressure is higher, you may need to be checked more often. High blood pressure can be managed with lifestyle changes or medication.

A total blood test is needed to measure total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and HDL (good) cholesterol. High cholesterol can cause plaque in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease (especially if cholesterol levels are above 200 mg/dL).

Like high blood pressure, cholesterol can be managed through lifestyle changes and/or medication.

Measuring your body mass index (BMI) can tell if your weight and body proportions are normal. Being overweight puts you at risk for heart disease, stroke, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, and more.

High blood glucose, or "blood sugar," increases your risk of insulin resistance, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes. Untreated diabetes leads to many serious medical problems, including heart disease and stroke.

3. Having chronic kidney disease

Poor kidney function can lead to heart disease, and high blood pressure and arterial disease are also linked to kidney disease.

4. Having had preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a common but unknown risk factor for heart disease. Women who have had preeclampsia, which is high blood pressure during pregnancy or after childbirth, are more likely to develop hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

5. Having gum problems

People who have gum disease are two to three times more likely to have issues with common cardiovascular conditions, such as stroke or heart attack.

6. Having leg pain or swollen feet

A heart that is not functioning correctly affects the condition of the legs and feet. This slows blood flow, causing fluids to build up in the body, resulting in swelling in the legs and feet.

7. Having congenital heart disease (CHD)

If you have a history of heart disease, it is advisable to have your condition checked occasionally.

8. Cancer patients/survivors

Cancer affects most of the body’s functions. So, you should be mindful of its effects. Cardiovascular disease is a common health issue for cancer patients and survivors.

9. Smoking

Smoking increases blood pressure, narrows the arteries, and prevents blood flow to the heart. Smoking habits and an unhealthy diet can increase the risk of heart disease.

Treatment

Heart failure is a severe and life-threatening condition. However, with adequate care, people with heart failure can live healthy and active lives. The Treatment for heart failure is lifelong.

The goal is to control symptoms for as long as possible and prevent the disease from worsening. Heart treatments are tailored to the cause. They usually include:

• Lifestyle changes and a low-salt diet
• This includes eating a healthy diet, not smoking or drinking alcohol, and exercising regularly.
• Taking medication.
• Placing a device in the chest to control the heart rhythm.
• Surgery, such as a bypass or heart transplant.

To find out how healthy your heart is, the doctor will usually do several tests:

• Blood test.
• Cardiac catheterization.
• Chest X-ray.
• Echocardiography.
• Cardiac MRI.
• Computed tomography of the heart (CT)
• Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG)
• Multigated acquisition scan (MUGA scan).
• Treadmill test.
• Genetic testing.

The death rate from heart failure is relatively high. As a result, recognizing symptoms early on is critical. If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, you can visit GWS Medika Permata Hijau Clinic, a health clinic at Jakarta Selatan, for immediate treatment.

With the latest ECG and treadmill facilities, GWS Medika Permata Hijau Main Clinic, a health clinic in Jakarta, helps detect heart problems early. Get a complete check-up here, a health clinic in Jakarta.

Healthy heart, happy life!

The death rate from heart failure is relatively high. As a result, recognizing symptoms early on is critical. If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, you can visit GWS Medika Permata Hijau Clinic, a health clinic at Jakarta Selatan,  for immediate treatment.

With the latest ECG and treadmill facilities, GWS Medika Permata Hijau Main Clinic, a health clinic in Jakarta, helps detect heart problems early. Get a complete check-up here, a health clinic in Jakarta.

Healthy heart, happy life!