“Heart failure is a condition where your heart can’t pump blood around your body as well as it should. It doesn’t mean your heart has stopped working but…”.1
Umbrella
What may the Heart Failure Umbrella include?
Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:
- Cardiac Failure
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Heart Failure
- Left Sided Heart Failure
- Right Sided Heart Failure
Terminology
Can the term heart failure (HF) be misleading?
In What Is Heart Failure? You Don’t Have To Face It Alone the American Heart Association (AHA) explain:
“The term heart failure sounds like the heart is no longer working at all. Actually, heart failure, sometimes called HF, means that the heart isn’t pumping as well as it should. Congestive heart failure is a type of heart failure that requires timely medical attention, although sometimes the two terms are used interchangeably”.2
Definition
What is heart failure?
DotS the definition of heart failure may vary. The British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) definition is:
“Heart failure is a condition where your heart can’t pump blood around your body as well as it should. It doesn’t mean your heart has stopped working but you may need support to help it work better”.3
The (United States) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) definition is:
“Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, is a condition that develops when your heart doesn’t pump enough blood for your body’s needs. This can happen if your heart can’t fill up with enough blood. It can also happen when your heart is too weak to pump properly. The term “heart failure” does not mean that your heart has stopped. However, heart failure is a serious condition that needs medical care”.4
Cause
What are the most common causes of heart failure?
In Heart Failure: What Causes Heart Failure? the BHF explain:
“There are many reasons why you may develop heart failure. It can happen suddenly or it can progress slowly over months or years. The most common causes of heart failure are:
- A heart attack…
- Cardiomyopathy…
- High blood pressure…”.5
What do other causes of heart failure include?
In Heart Failure: What Causes Heart Failure? the BHF explain:
“Other causes of heart failure include:
- Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)…
- Amyloidosis…
- Anaemia – a lack of oxygen carrying haemoglobin or red blood cells in your blood
- Congenital heart conditions – heart problems that you’re born with
- Endocarditis – a viral infection affecting the heart muscle
- Heart valve disease…
- Pulmonary hypertension…
- Some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy
- Thyroid gland disease…
- Too much alcohol…”.6
Signs and Symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of heart failure?
In Heart Failure: Symptoms the NHLBI explain:
“Symptoms of heart failure depend on the type of heart failure you have and how serious it is. If you have mild heart failure, you may not notice any symptoms except during hard physical work. Symptoms can depend on whether you have left-sided or right-sided heart failure. However, you can have symptoms of both types. Symptoms usually get worse as your heart grows weaker.
Heart failure can lead to serious and life-threatening complications”.7
Health Care Provider
What if I think I have heart failure?
If you think you have heart failure, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this as soon as possible.
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Heart Failure?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
Links
Where may I find Links related to Heart Failure?
Your Country may have Links similar to:
Links
This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.New or Updated
- Alternative Therapies for Heart Failure May Offer Benefits, But Some Have Risks
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Cardiovascular Heath: Risks & Causes – What To Do Next
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Heart Disease: About Heart Disease
- Heart Disease: About Heart Failure
- Heart Disease: About Women and Heart Disease
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- Heart Failure Signs and Symptoms [+ Video]
- Heart Failure [Multiply Languages]
- Heart Failure – Multiply Languages
- Heart Failure: Causes and Risk Factors
- Heart Failure: Diagnosis
- Heart Failure: Living With Heart Failure
- Heart Failure: Symptoms
- Heart Failure: Treatment
- Heart Failure: What Is Heart Failure?
- Heart Health Information In Your Language: Living With Chronic Heart Failure Information Sheet
Heart Health Information In Your Language: Living With Chronic Heart Failure – Information To Make You Feel Better- Heartfailurematters.org [Heart Failure Matters]
- Life’s Essential 8
- Living With Heart Failure
- Living With Heart Failure and Managing Advanced HF
- Mayo Clinic Healthcare Expert Shares Heart Failure Signs, Risk Factors People May Not Be Aware Of
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Signs of Coronary Artery Disease, How To Reduce Your Risk [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
- Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: Reducing the Fisk of Heart Failure [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Chelation for Coronary Heart Disease: What You Need To Know
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Coenzyme Q10
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Using Dietary Supplements Wisely
- Obesity Significantly Increased Heart Failure Risk Among Women With Late Menopause
- Older Adults Could Lower the Risks To Their Heart and Brain 500 Steps At A Time
- People Who Follow These 8 Heart Health Metrics May Live Years Longer
- Risks for Heart Failure
- Types of Heart Failure
- Video Series-2023: Menopause and Heart Disease
- Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: Cardiovascular Disease In Women
- Warning Signs of Heart Failure
- Watch, Learn and Live: Heart Failure [Interactive]
- Webinars: Previous – Cardiovascular Disease
- What Is Heart Failure?
- What Is Heart Failure?
- World Heart Day [29 September]
- World Menopause Day 2023
- World Menopause Day: Patient Information Leaflet – Cardiovascular Disease: What Women Need To Know [Multiply Languages]
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- Heart Failure. Page Last Reviewed: August 2022. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/heart-failure Accessed: 25 August 2024
- What Is Heart Failure? You Don’t Have To Face It Alone. Last Reviewed: 22 March 2023. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/what-is-heart-failure#.WrrJlzoh2po Accessed: 25 August 2024
- Heart Failure. Page Last Reviewed: August 2022. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/heart-failure Accessed: 25 August 2024
- Heart Failure: What Is Heart Failure? Last Updated: 24 March 2022. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart-failure Accessed: 25 August 2024
- Heart Failure: What Causes Heart Failure? Page Last Reviewed: August 2022. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/heart-failure Accessed: 25 August 2024
- Heart Failure: What Causes Heart Failure? Page Last Reviewed: August 2022. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/heart-failure Accessed: 25 August 2024
- Heart Failure: Symptoms. Last Updated: 24 March 2022. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart-failure/symptoms Accessed: 25 August 2024
Topic Last Updated: 25 August 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 25 August 2024
