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Heart failure or what is known as congestive heart failure is a very serious condition caused when the cardiac output is not sufficient to meet the bodies normal requirements for nutrients and oxygen. It is believed by many that heart failure means the heart has stopped beating when heart failure occurs this is a mistaken belief. The term heart failure simply means that the heart is working in such a diminished capacity that it can no longer keep up with the bodies needs. This condition is much more common in the elderly since the diseases that cause it are likely to occur with age. Even though heart failure can get worse over the years, it is not uncommon for people who have this condition to live for years. There are approximately 400,000 new cases of heart failure diagnosed each year and around 70 percent of the people die within a few years.
There are a number of diseases that interfere with the circulation and affect the heart that can be traced to heart failure. Some of these diseases will directly affect the heart muscle affecting it's ability to pump blood and contract properly. Coronary artery disease is the most common of these diseases since it limits the blood flow to the heart often causing a heart attack. Another disease that is linked with heart failure is myocarditis. This disease occurs when the heart muscle is infected by bacteria, viruses or other microscopic organisms causing damage to the heart. Diabetes, extreme obesity and an over active thyroid gland are also linked with heart failure. Any disease that obstructs the blood flow within the heart's chambers and between the major arteries and the heart can cause this condition.
When the heart, like any muscle, is forced to work extremely hard over a period of months or years it will enlarge. In the beginning this will provide stronger contractions but over time it can create a diminished pumping ability and lead to heart failure. In some cases the thin, transparent covering around the heart known as the pericardium will stiffen preventing the heart from expanding between each beat. When the heart cannot properly expand it does not adequately fill with blood. When diseases occur in other parts of the body they demand greater amounts of oxygen and nutrients from the heart making it difficult for an affected heart to meet the demands. When this occurs the heart will fail to meet the necessary requirements resulting in what is called heart failure.
Symptoms of heart failure include tiredness, weakness, some swelling or edema and shortness of breath. When the heart disease if found on only one side of the heart this will still cause failure of the entire heart. If the heart disease is on the right side of the body this will tend to cause a build up of blood flowing to the right side of the body which leads to swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, liver and abdomen. When the heart disease is found on the left side it will lead to a build up of fluid in the lungs causing extreme shortness of breath. This will be noticed at first during physical exertion but as the disease progresses it can even occur during rest periods. In some cases a person with heart failure can only sleep sitting up since this position aids with draining fluid from the lungs.
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