Heart Failure

About Heart Failure

Heart failure affects approximately 64 million people worldwide. It occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the bodys needs. The most common causes are coronary artery disease and hypertension. Other causes include valve disease, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and congenital heart defects. Heart failure is classified by ejection fraction: HFrEF reduced EF below 40 percent, HFpEF preserved EF 50 percent or higher, and HFmrEF mildly reduced EF 41 to 49 percent. Symptoms include shortness of breath especially with exertion or lying flat orthopnea, fatigue, leg swelling edema, rapid weight gain, and persistent cough. Diagnosis is made through echocardiography, BNP or NT proBNP blood tests, and clinical assessment. Treatment for HFrEF has been transformed by guideline directed medical therapy GDMT including beta blockers, ACE inhibitors or ARBs, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, SGLT2 inhibitors dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, and ARNI sacubitril valsartan. Used together, these medications substantially reduce hospitalization and mortality. Device therapy ICD, CRT and advanced therapies LVAD, transplantation are options for selected patients. Sudden severe breathlessness, chest pain, or fainting is a medical emergency; call your local emergency number.