Family Casebook

May 18 2008 Dr Gareth Smith

Heart Failure

HEART failure is a condition where the organ loses the ability to pump blood as efficiently as it did before.

It can affect either the right or left side of the heart and is caused by a variety of illnesses including high blood pressure, disease of the heart valves, heart attacks, thyroid problems and enlargement of the heart muscle.

When it affects the right side, fluid builds up around the body and the ankles swell. Fluid can also build up in the abdominal cavity and ulcers may develop on the legs. Left heart failure leads to a build-up of fluid in the lungs causing a shortness of breath, dry cough and tiredness.

It is treated by various medications depending on the severity. Generally blood thinners such as aspirin, used along with diuretics, encourage fluid loss. Beta blockers and ACE inhibitors help the heart to function more efficiently.