For some people, heart disease is a frightening disease because it can cause sudden death. This time we will learn one of the most common heart disease occur, namely heart failure. Heart failure is the inability of the heart to pump blood than they should, also occur in the body fluid retention due to the inability of the heart to pump blood properly. This does not mean that the heart stops moving suddenly like 'heart attack'.
There are many things that can cause heart failure, or sometimes the exact cause is unknown. The things that often lead to heart failure is a problem / damage to heart muscle, constriction of coronary artery heart disease, high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythm, toxic substances (eg alcohol), damage / problems with heart valves, diabetes, diseases thyroid gland, and congenital heart disease.
Symptoms of heart failure is often not typical, or slightly felt by the patient. The symptoms are usually experienced by people with heart failure that is suddenly awakened when sleeping because they can not breathe, shortness of breath when walking away, up the stairs, or sleep without a pillow, tired and lethargic, swollen legs, especially in the ankles, weight body rises rapidly, cough in a long time.
If you experience some of these symptoms, consult your doctor. The symptoms above do not necessarily indicate that a person suffering from heart failure, but it could be another disease as serious as heart failure. When it comes to the doctor because of the complaints above, the doctor will perform a physical examination, and if necessary ask for investigation such as laboratory tests, chest x-ray, electrocardiograph (ECG), cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography), or gamma camera examinations with contrast.
Heart failure can not be cured completely. Treatment given was to improve the ability of the heart pumps and eliminate the symptoms that arise. Another important thing is to treat diseases that cause heart failure. Treatment here is not just with drugs, but also a change of lifestyle.
Lifestyle that will be recommended by doctors for patients with heart failure are:
- Sports (Preferably, the type and duration will be determined by physicians based on the physical condition of patients)
- Food (reducing salt and fat intake)
- Lose weight up to the ideal weight range
