What Is Acute Heart Failure?

Heart pumps oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood throughout the body. The ability of the heart to pump blood ensures that cells are nourished and can function normally.

Heart failure is a life-threatening condition. When this happens, your heart continues to beat, but it is unable to deliver oxygen-rich blood throughout your body. Acute heart failure is caused by a rapid decline in heart function and the amount of blood your heart can pump to the rest of your body.

Symptoms of acute heart failure:

• Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down
• Fatigue and weakness
• Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Reduced ability to exercise
• Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged mucus
• Swelling of the belly area (abdomen)
• Very rapid weight gain from fluid buildup
• Nausea and lack of appetite
• Difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness
• Chest pain if heart failure is caused by a heart attack

What causes acute heart failure?

Health issues that strain the heart increase your risk of heart failure: • Advanced kidney disease.
• Alcoholism.
• Blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism).
• Diabetes.
• High blood pressure (hypertension).
• Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
• Sleep apnea.
• Stroke.
• Viral infections affecting the heart.

Existing heart problems that cause ADHF include: • Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmia).
• Coronary artery disease.
• Heart valve disease.

Causes of sudden (acute) heart failure also include:

• Allergic reactions
• Any illness that affects the whole body
• Blood clots in the lungs
• Severe infections
• Use of certain medications
• Viruses that attack the heart muscle
• Coronary artery disease and heart attack
• High blood pressure
• Faulty heart valves
• Damage to the heart muscle
• Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis)
• A heart problem that you're born with (congenital heart defect)
• Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)

Risk factors

A single risk factor may be enough to cause heart failure, but a combination of factors also increases your risk.

Risk factors for heart failure include:

Coronary artery disease.

Narrowed arteries may limit your heart's supply of oxygen-rich blood, resulting in weakened heart muscle.

Heart attack.

A heart attack is a form of coronary artery disease that occurs suddenly. Damage to your heart muscle from a heart attack may mean your heart can no longer pump as well as it should.

Heart valve disease.

Having a heart valve that doesn't work properly raises the risk of heart failure.

High blood pressure.

Your heart works harder than it has to if your blood pressure is high.

Irregular heartbeats.

These abnormal rhythms, especially if they are very frequent and fast, can weaken the heart muscle and cause heart failure.

Congenital heart disease.

Some people who develop heart failure were born with problems that affect the structure or function of their heart.

Diabetes.

Having diabetes increases your risk of high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. Don't stop taking any medications on your own. Ask your doctor whether you should make changes.

Some diabetes medications.

The diabetes drugs rosiglitazone (Avandia) and pioglitazone (Actos) have been found to increase the risk of heart failure in some people. Don't stop taking these medications on your own, though. If you're taking them, ask your doctor if you need to make any changes.

Certain other medications.

drug therapy for acute heart failure in Hyderabad Some medications may lead to heart failure or heart problems. They include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); certain anesthesia medications; and certain medications used to treat high blood pressure, cancer, blood conditions, irregular or abnormal heartbeats, nervous system diseases, mental health conditions, lung and urinary problems, inflammatory diseases, and infections.

Alcohol use.

Drinking too much alcohol can weaken the heart muscle and lead to heart failure.

Sleep apnea

. The inability to breathe properly while you sleep results in low blood-oxygen levels and an increased risk of irregular heartbeats. Both of these problems can weaken the heart.

Smoking or using tobacco.

If you smoke, quit. Using tobacco increases your risk of heart disease and heart failure.

Obesity.

People who have obesity have a higher risk of developing heart failure.

Viruses.

Certain viral infections can cause damage to the heart muscle.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Heart Failure • Blood tests
• Chest X-ray
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Echocardiogram, or echo
• Ejection fraction (EF)

Treatment options for people with acute heart failure

There is no cure for heart failure, but treatment can help improve your quality of life. Acute heart failure can have lasting effects on your body. Because of this, treatment is centered on managing symptoms and preventing future heart failure.

If you experience acute heart failure, you’ll likely stay in the hospital until you’re in stable condition. During this time, you may need oxygen therapy. You might also need supplemental oxygen after you leave the hospital.

The cause of your acute heart failure will determine your treatment plan. In some cases, acute heart failure can be caused by undiagnosed chronic heart failure. Treatment for acute heart failure and chronic heart failure is often the same.

Treatment options for acute heart failure include medications, medical devices, and surgery.

Medications

In many cases, a combination of at least two medications is necessary to manage heart failure. drug therapy for acute heart failure in Hyderabad.

Some of these medications include:

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.

These medications help open your blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and increases blood flow. This makes your heart’s job easier.

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs).

Much like ACE inhibitors, ARBs help to relax your blood vessels.

Beta-blockers.

These medications reduce blood pressure and slow your heart rate. They help to normalize the rhythms of your heart.

Digoxin (Lanoxin).

This drug strengthens the contractions of your heart and makes it beat more slowly.

Diuretics.

Also known as water pills, these medications prevent fluid from accumulating in your body.

Aldosterone antagonists.

These are another type of diuretic. They also reduce the amount of fluid in your body.

Depending on the cause of heart failure, a doctor may also prescribe medication to treat conditions such as:
• high cholesterol
• chest pain
• blood clots
• Surgery and medical devices

Surgery is sometimes used to treat heart failure. Your doctor may use one of the following devices to help restore function:

Biventricular pacemaker.

This device helps both sides of your heart beat at the correct speed by sending electrical impulses.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs).

An ICD is implanted under your skin, like a pacemaker. It monitors your heart rate and uses an electrical signal to correct it when needed.

Heart pumps.

An implant such as a ventricular assist device can help your heart pump blood more strongly.

Depending on your overall heart health, other procedures can include:

Heart valve replacement or repair.

. If your heart fails because of a problematic heart valve, your doctor may repair or replace the valve.

Coronary bypass surgery.

In this surgery, your surgeon will remove a blood vessel from another part of your body. This blood vessel is fashioned into a new pathway to work around a clogged artery. Sometimes a less invasive alternative, such as angioplasty with stent placement, can be used instead.

Heart transplant. If your condition is severe and other treatments aren’t working, your doctor may recommend heart transplant surgery.

Complications of acute heart failure
• Kidney damage or failure
• Heart valve problems
• Heart rhythm problems
• Liver damage

Prevention of acute heart failure

The key to preventing heart failure is to reduce your risk factors. You can control or eliminate many of the risk factors for heart disease by making healthy lifestyle changes and by taking the medications prescribed by your doctor.

Lifestyle changes you can make to help prevent heart failure include:

• Not smoking
• Controlling certain conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes
• Staying physically active
• Eating healthy foods
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Reducing and managing stress