What is Heart Failure?

When people hear “heart failure,” they may think it means the heart has stopped working. Heart failure actually means the heart isn’t pumping blood effectively, leading to inadequate oxygen and nutrient delivery to the body.

Over 6 million Americans have heart failure, and every minute, two people are hospitalized due to the condition. In fact, 1 in 5 people will develop heart failure in their lifetime.

A Healthy Heart vs. Heart Failure

A healthy heart has strong muscular walls that contract and relax to efficiently pump blood throughout the body. When heart failure occurs, the heart’s ability to pump weakens, leading to a variety of symptoms.

Types of Heart Failure

Heart failure can change the structure of your heart, affecting how it functions. Both types of heart failure share similar symptoms, but they impact the heart differently:

🔹 Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF) – The heart muscle becomes overstretched and weakened, making it difficult to pump blood properly.

🔹 Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) – The heart muscle stiffens and loses its ability to relax, reducing its efficiency.

Why Heart Failure Often Goes Undiagnosed

Heart failure symptoms are often mistaken for signs of aging or other health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, COPD, or obesity. This can delay diagnosis and treatment.

Since heart failure results from fluid buildup and reduced blood flow, underlying conditions can contribute to its development.

Recognizing the Signs of Heart Failure

If you notice any of the following new or worsening symptoms, talk to your doctor right away:

✅ Shortness of breath – Especially during daily activities, as fluid buildup in the lungs makes breathing harder.
✅ Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet – Caused by fluid retention when the heart isn’t pumping efficiently.
✅ Persistent dry, hacking cough – Fluid backup in the lungs can trigger chronic coughing.
✅ Difficulty sleeping while lying flat – Lying down may cause fluid to build up in the lungs, making it hard to breathe comfortably.
✅ Rapid weight gain – A sudden increase of 3+ pounds in a day could indicate fluid retention.
✅ Frequent fatigue – The heart prioritizes blood supply to vital organs like the brain and heart, leaving muscles under-supplied and weak.

Diagnosing Heart Failure

Because heart failure shares symptoms with other conditions, diagnosis can take time and often involves multiple tests.

📌 HFrEF Diagnosis may include:

  • Echocardiogram (ECG) – The most common test
  • MUGA Scan
  • Cardiac catheterization
  • Nuclear stress test

📌 HFpEF Diagnosis is more complex because the heart’s ejection fraction often appears normal. Diagnosis may require:

  • Clinical signs of heart failure
  • Evidence of preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)
  • Abnormal left ventricular function detected via Doppler echocardiography or cardiac catheterization

Managing Heart Failure

A personalized treatment plan is key to managing heart failure. Lifestyle adjustments like reducing salt intake, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying active can help improve heart function.

Working closely with your doctor can make these changes easier. Treatment options may include:
💊 Medications
🏋️‍♂️ Cardiac rehabilitation
💡 Lifestyle and dietary changes
🤝 Support programs

Compassionate, Preventative Cardiac Care

Dr. Bobish and her team specialize in preventative care and compassionate treatment for patients with heart failure, arrhythmias, hypertension, high cholesterol, chest pain, and other heart conditions.

She takes the time to listen to her patients and develops personalized treatment plans to improve heart health.

📞 Call 989-448-7002 today to schedule an appointment!