Understanding Heart Failure
How Your Heart Works
Your heart is a muscle that pumps blood through your body to supply oxygen and nutrients . A healthy heart pumps the right amount of blood to all areas of the body . It has four hollow heart chambers surrounded by muscle and other tissue . Your heartbeat is your heart contracting to pump blood to your lungs and throughout your body . This is similar to a balloon filled with water that you hold in your hand . When you squeeze your hand around the balloon , the water is pushed out of it .
The flow of blood is controlled by heart valves . Valves are like one-way doors that prevent blood from flowing backwards . When the valves work correctly , blood can only go in one direction .
If your heart is damaged or weakened , it cannot efficiently pump blood throughout your body . Your heart has to work harder to supply your body ’ s organs with enough blood to work normally .
What is Heart Failure ?
Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart muscle is unable to pump blood efficiently . When this happens , your body does not get enough oxygen , blood , and nutrients . The heart works harder to keep blood flowing through your body . Over time , this leads to fluid buildup , causing swelling and shortness of breath . This is called congestive heart failure . Heart failure is progressive ; it starts slowly and gets worse over time .
Heart failure is a very common condition . About 6.5 million people in the United States have heart failure . Currently , heart failure has no cure . However , treatments such as medicines and lifestyle changes can help people who have the condition lead more active lives .
Types of Heart Failure
Heart failure generally begins on the left side of the heart , but it can affect one or both sides .
Left-Sided Heart Failure
� Systolic Heart Failure ( HFrEF ) Systolic heart failure , also called HFrEF ( heart failure with reduced ejection fraction ), occurs when the heart muscle has weakened and can ' t contract normally . The heart cannot pump hard enough to push the blood through the body .
� Diastolic Heart Failure ( HfpEF ) Diastolic heart failure , also called HFpEF ( heart failure with preserved ejection fraction ), occurs when the heart has a normal amount of strength but the muscle becomes stiff and doesn ' t fully relax . This means the heart can ' t fill properly and the amount of blood entering the heart is less than normal .
Right-Sided Heart Failure
Right-sided heart failure usually occurs as a result of left-sided failure . When the right side of the heart is damaged and is unable to pump , blood backs up into the body ' s veins . This usually causes swelling in the legs , ankles and abdomen .
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