Understanding heart failure: A common but manageable condition (webinar)

Heart failure is a chronic condition affecting millions worldwide, including over 6 million adults in the United States. Despite its name, heart failure doesn't mean the heart has stopped working; rather, it indicates that the heart isn't pumping blood as effectively as it should. This inefficiency can lead to symptoms like fatigue, swelling, and shortness of breath, making daily activities more challenging.

In a webinar, Sanjana Bhatia-Patel, DO, a heart failure cardiologist at Main Line Health, discusses the two main types and how understanding them helps in tailoring appropriate treatment strategies:

• Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF): The heart's left ventricle loses its ability to contract normally, reducing the amount of blood pumped out.
• Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF): The left ventricle loses its ability to relax and fill with blood, leading to decreased blood flow.

Watch the full webinar

Learn more about heart failure, as well as symptoms and warning signs, risk factors and prevention, treatment options and how to live with heart failure.

Symptoms and warning signs

Dr. Bhatia-Patel discusses how recognizing these symptoms of heart failure is crucial for timely intervention:

• Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired during routine activities.
• Shortness of Breath: Experiencing breathlessness during exertion or even at rest.
• Swelling (Edema): Noticeable swelling in the legs, ankles, feet or abdomen due to fluid retention.
• Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat: Palpitations or a racing heart.

Risk factors and prevention

As mentioned in the webinar, several conditions can increase the risk of developing heart failure. Managing these risk factors through lifestyle changes and medications can significantly lower the risk of developing heart failure:

• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Elevated blood pressure can cause the heart to work harder, leading to heart failure.
• Coronary Artery Disease: Narrowing of the heart's arteries reduces blood flow, potentially leading to heart failure.
• Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and the heart muscle.
• Obesity: Excess weight strains the heart, increasing the risk of heart failure.
• Heart Valve Diseases: Malfunctioning heart valves can disrupt blood flow, contributing to heart failure.

Treatment options

Dr. Bhatia-Patel highlights how managing heart failure involves a combination of therapies aimed at improving heart function and quality of life. Collaborating with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment plan is essential:

• Medications: Drugs such as ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics and aldosterone antagonists help manage symptoms and improve heart function.
• Lifestyle Modifications: Adopting a heart-healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and monitoring weight can alleviate symptoms.
• Medical Devices: Implantable devices like pacemakers or defibrillators can help regulate heart rhythms and support heart function.
• Surgical Interventions: Procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or heart valve repair/replacement may be necessary in certain cases.

Living well with heart failure

Managing heart failure effectively requires a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach:

• Diet: Consuming a balanced diet low in sodium helps prevent fluid retention and supports heart health.
• Exercise: Engaging in regular, moderate-intensity exercise, as advised by a healthcare provider, strengthens the heart and improves overall well-being.
• Weight Management: Monitoring weight daily can help detect fluid retention early, allowing for timely intervention.
• Stress Reduction: Practices such as meditation, deep breathing and adequate sleep contribute to emotional well-being and heart health.
• Regular Check-ups: Routine visits to a cardiologist for monitoring and adjusting treatment plans are crucial for optimal management.

By implementing these strategies, Dr. Bhatia-Patel emphasizes that individuals with heart failure can lead fulfilling lives and effectively manage their condition.

Next steps:

Schedule an appointment with a heart failure cardiologist
Learn more about heart care at Main Line Health
Managing heart failure: Expert insights on treatment and care