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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the left side of the heart?
What is the most common cause of heart failure?
What is the term for shortness of breath?
What is the last stage of heart failure according to the American Heart Association?
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What is a common test used to diagnose heart failure?
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What is the main goal of treating heart failure?
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What is the term for swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet?
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What is the term for a rapid or irregular heartbeat?
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What is the term for a test that uses X-rays to produce images of the heart and lungs?
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What is the term for a type of heart failure that affects the right side of the heart?
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Study Notes
Definition and Types
- Heart failure (HF) is a chronic condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
- There are two main types:
- Left-sided heart failure: affects the left side of the heart, which pumps blood from the lungs to the rest of the body.
- Right-sided heart failure: affects the right side of the heart, which pumps blood from the body to the lungs.
Causes
- Common causes of heart failure:
- Coronary artery disease
- High blood pressure
- Heart valve problems
- Cardiomyopathy
- Heart rhythm disorders
- Viral infections
- Drug abuse or toxins
Symptoms
- Common symptoms:
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Fatigue
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet (edema)
- Coughing or wheezing
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
Stages
- The American Heart Association (AHA) defines four stages of heart failure:
- Stage A: High risk of heart failure
- Stage B: Structural heart disease but no symptoms
- Stage C: Structural heart disease with symptoms
- Stage D: Advanced heart failure with severe symptoms
Diagnosis
- Diagnosis typically involves:
- Medical history and physical exam
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- Echocardiogram
- Blood tests (e.g., B-type natriuretic peptide, or BNP)
- Chest X-ray
- Cardiac catheterization (in some cases)
Treatment
- Treatment goals: manage symptoms, slow disease progression, and improve quality of life.
- Common treatments:
- Medications (e.g., ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, diuretics)
- Lifestyle changes (e.g., diet, exercise, stress management)
- Device therapy (e.g., pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators)
- Heart transplantation (in severe cases)
Definition and Types
- Heart failure (HF) is a chronic condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
- Two main types of heart failure: left-sided and right-sided.
Causes
- Common causes of heart failure include:
- Coronary artery disease
- High blood pressure
- Heart valve problems
- Cardiomyopathy
- Heart rhythm disorders
- Viral infections
- Drug abuse or toxins
Symptoms
- Common symptoms of heart failure include:
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Fatigue
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet (edema)
- Coughing or wheezing
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
Stages
- The American Heart Association (AHA) defines four stages of heart failure:
- Stage A: High risk of heart failure
- Stage B: Structural heart disease but no symptoms
- Stage C: Structural heart disease with symptoms
- Stage D: Advanced heart failure with severe symptoms
Diagnosis
- Diagnosis of heart failure typically involves:
- Medical history and physical exam
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- Echocardiogram
- Blood tests (e.g., B-type natriuretic peptide, or BNP)
- Chest X-ray
- Cardiac catheterization (in some cases)
Treatment
- Treatment goals: manage symptoms, slow disease progression, and improve quality of life.
- Common treatments include:
- Medications (e.g., ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, diuretics)
- Lifestyle changes (e.g., diet, exercise, stress management)
- Device therapy (e.g., pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators)
- Heart transplantation (in severe cases)
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Description
Learn about heart failure, its types, and common causes. Understand left-sided and right-sided heart failure, and how coronary artery disease and high blood pressure contribute to this condition.
