Heart failure, referred to as heart failure, is a disorder of the systolic or diastolic function of the heart, and the blood returning from the veins to the heart cannot be fully discharged from the heart, resulting in blood stasis in the venous system, and Inadequate blood perfusion in the arterial system. Therefore, heart failure is not a disease, but a syndrome caused by heart disease. Heart failure is divided into acute and chronic. Most heart failure is chronic heart failure starting from left heart failure.
Heart failure is a global health problem that affects more than 26 million people. Studies have shown that the incidence of heart failure has increased in recent years, and the proportion of young patients is also rising. Epidemiological surveys in several countries have shown that obesity is the main cause of the increased burden of heart failure in early life. In addition, factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking put young and middle-aged people at greater risk of developing heart failure than older adults. Lack of exercise and a weak physique during adolescence also increases the risk of developing heart failure in the future.
The causes of heart failure are divided into extrinsic and intrinsic factors. External factors, mainly overwork or mood swings. Intrinsic factors, in addition to underlying diseases, mainly fall into 8 categories. The first is infection, such as viral myocarditis, which can directly damage the myocardium, infective endocarditis, which can lead to valvular disease, and respiratory infection, which can cause temporary pulmonary hypertension and increased cardiac load, thereby inducing heart failure. The second is arrhythmia. The third is hyperthyroidism, anemia, pregnancy, and childbirth, which increase the load on the heart. Fourth, it is a state of physical or psychological stress, such as overwork or mental stimulation.
The fifth cause of heart failure is pulmonary embolism, especially multiple pulmonary embolism. Sixth, there are drug factors, such as receptor blockers that have an inhibitory effect on heart function, or improper use of digitalis. Seventh, diseases that lead to reduced myocardial contractility, such as acute myocardial infarction, chronic coronary heart disease, congestive cardiomyopathy, viral myocarditis, amyloidosis, etc. Eighth, bad living habits, such as excessive intake of sodium salt, increase water and sodium retention, increase the load on the heart, and induce heart failure.
In the early stages of heart failure, there are usually nine manifestations. First, shortness of breath, especially when getting up in the middle of the night or in the morning, it is difficult to take a deep breath. The second is the heaviness of the chest, the feeling of compression in the chest, similar to drowning. 3. Puffy, feeling that clothes or shoes are getting tight. Fourth, is irregular heart rate, fast heartbeat or palpitations. 5. Loss of appetite, feeling very tired when chewing food. 6. Dizziness. 7. Anxiety. 8. Cough. No. 9, easy to fatigue, feel weak, a little activity, it will start to pant. When these manifestations occur, relevant inspections need to be carried out in a timely manner.
The diagnosis of heart failure requires a combination of related symptoms and signs, as well as cardiac structure and function tests. For example, blood test, electrocardiogram, X-ray film, echocardiogram, magnetic resonance imaging, etc. Heart failure can be classified into 4 grades based on the severity of symptoms and their impact on physical activity. The main purpose of the treatment of heart failure is to relieve symptoms, prevent the deterioration of the disease, and prolong the life of the patient. Measures include drugs, devices, surgery, lifestyle management, and disease monitoring. Fibrillator, surgical treatment, mainly catheter ablation, bypass grafting, valve repair, etc.
Lifestyle management is very important for people with heart failure. Usually, patients with heart failure need to rest in bed when the disease occurs, and should not drink too much water. The daily water intake needs to be controlled within 1500 ml, and the intake of sodium salts needs to be controlled in order to maintain normal osmotic pressure. Patients with heart failure should immediately quit smoking, avoid alcohol, adhere to a healthy diet, reduce sedentary time, and controlweight. And, according to physical ability, appropriate exercise. Patients with heart failure should also perform physical activities during bed rest to prevent the formation of venous thrombosis. If there is no feeling of suffocation when lying flat, and no obvious wheezing during activities, you can start rehabilitation exercises. If angina pectoris, exacerbation of shortness of breath, swelling of lower extremities, etc. occur during exercise, the exercise needs to be suspended. If necessary, an exercise capacity assessment should be performed, and a professional will help to formulate a physical activity plan.
To whomever you love, pass on your health.