If you or a relative has been diagnosed with heart failure, you're probably wondering what it means. Heart failure does not mean that the heart has stopped or failed. What heart failure does mean is that the heart has become weakened and does not pump enough blood with each heartbeat to meet the demands of the body. Because your heart does not pump blood as well as it should, organs such as your kidneys and your brain receive less blood and oxygen. Because your organs are receiving less blood and oxygen, you may begin to experience symptoms.

Causes

Heart failure can be caused by any medical problem that weakens or damages the heart muscle. Some of the most common causes of heart failure are:

• Coronary artery disease
• Heart attack
• High blood pressure
• Heart valve disease
• Infection
• Exposure to chemicals such as alcohol and drugs

Symptoms

Some people with heart failure have very few symptoms, while others may have many. It is important to pay close attention to the way you feel. If you notice something that does not "feel right" or a new or worsening symptom, you should immediately call your Advanced Heart Care Team.

• Sudden weight gain
  This is one of the most important signs that you should watch for. If you experience a sudden weight gain of 2-3 pounds in one day or 4-5 pounds over one week, you should contact your Advanced Heart Care Team immediately. This symptom occurs because your heart is not pumping enough blood to the kidneys. Becase the kidneys are not getting enough blood, they cannot work as well to get rid of the extra fluid in the body. Extra fluid may result in weight gain, which sometimes happens quickly.
  
  
• Shortness of breath, wheezing or coughing
  This symptom occurs because the heart is unable to pump blood as well as it once did, causing fluid to back up in your lungs. This symptom may be worse when you lie down and may result in a dry hacking cough.
  
  
• Feeling tired or weak
  This symptom may occur because your muscles and organs aren't getting all the blood they need, causing you to feel tired or fatigued even after a good night's sleep.
  
  
• Frequent urination at night
  This symptom occurs when you are lying down at night and extra fluid seeps back into your blood vessels. The fluid travels to your kidneys and causes you to produce more urine.
  
  
• Swelling in your ankles, feet or abdomen
  This symptom may occur because your kidneys are not receiving enough blood from your heart and cannot get rid of the extra fluid.
  
  
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
  This symptom may occur because your heart does not pump all the blood to the brain that is needed.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will perform a physical exam, ask you questions about your symptoms, take a medical history and may run some tests. Your doctor will check for any signs of heart failure or any illnesses that could cause your heart to weaken. The findings from each of these will help assist your doctor and Advanced Heart Care Team to develop a program of care just for you.

• History
  Your doctor will ask about how you have been feeling, what symptoms you may be having and what prescription or nonprescription medications you have been taking.
  
  
• Physical Exam
  Your doctor will perform a physical exam including listening to your heart and lungs.
  
  
• EKG
  This test is painless and is done by placing electrodes on your chest; it records the pattern of your heartbeat and can show the size of your heart.
  
  
• Blood Tests
  These tests may be done to check how well your kidneys and thyroid are working, check your cholesterol level or check your blood count for anemia.
  
  
• Chest X-ray
  This test is painless and may be done to check the size and shape of your heart. It can also detect any fluid or congestion in your lungs.
  
  
• Echocardiogram
  This test is painless and is done by placing over the heart a wand that uses sound waves to transmit pictures of the heart onto a screen. This test can detect any problems with the heart muscle, heart valves and measure the amount of blood pumped out with each heartbeat.
  
  
• Stress Test
  This test is done to see how your heart responds to exercise and can help detect if your blood vessels have blockages. You may be asked to exercise on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike. If you are unable to exercise, medication can be used to see how your heart would respond to exercise.
  
  
• Cardiac Catheterization
  This test is done in the hospital to check for problems that could have caused your heart failure. A long, thin catheter is inserted into your blood vessel through your arm or leg and guided gently into your heart. This test can check for any blockages in the blood vessels, problems with the pumping ability of the heart, heart chambers, heart valves and the blood flow.

What can be done for heart failure?

No matter what plan of care you and your Advanced Heart Care Team choose, there is a lot that you can do to manage your heart failure. The key to living with heart failure is taking control and managing your life. By making some lifestyle and activity changes, you can take control of your heart failure and help improve your health.