Our heart performs at its best day after day. However, diseases can weaken its muscles, which can lead to reduced performance and heart failure. We explain the signs of chronic and acute heart failure.
Table of Contents
Causes of heart failure
As a result of a heart attack , coronary heart disease or high blood pressure , cardiac insufficiency can occur – i.e. when our heart muscle has been weakened. If there is heart failure, the heart’s performance is impaired because it is no longer able to pump properly. The organs are less well supplied with blood and, accordingly, less oxygen.
Heart failure usually occurs in connection with other diseases such as diabetes or kidney failure. Severe overweight (obesity) also weakens our organ. In addition, cardiac output can decrease over years if the heart vessels narrow due to cholesterol deposits. Alcohol and drug abuse can also contribute to weakening of the heart.
Older people in particular suffer from cardiac insufficiency. This usually only occurs after the age of 65. About 10 percent of all 70-year-olds have heart failure.
Signs of chronic heart failure
Chronic cardiac insufficiency manifests itself through various symptoms. These usually develop insidiously and are not initially associated with heart failure. This includes:
- shortness of breath
- fatigue
- exhaustion
- Decreased resilience
- water retention
Symptoms of acute heart failure
In the case of acute cardiac insufficiency, the symptoms appear within a very short time and can increase rapidly. The following features indicate acute heart failure:
- Severe shortness of breath
- to cough
- Unusually rapid heartbeat
- Pale and cold sweaty skin
If you notice these symptoms, do not hesitate and call an ambulance immediately. It is possible for chronic heart failure to develop into acute heart failure. This can happen if you have anemia, cardiac arrhythmias or infections.
The four stages of heart failure
Heart failure can be divided into different degrees, also known as NYHA stages.
NYHA stage 1: No restrictions are noticeable yet.
NYHA Stage 2: Slight limitations appear. Affected people feel exhausted after climbing stairs, for example. There are no complaints in idle mode.
NYHA stage 3: The limitations are more pronounced, for example even with light physical activities. Simple housework or walking is strenuous for those affected, so that symptoms such as shortness of breath can occur. At rest, the symptoms do not appear.
NYHA Stage 4: In contrast to the other stages, the fourth and final stage eventually also has symptoms that occur at rest. Heart failure patients are bedridden, almost permanently exhausted and short of breath.
Effectively prevent cardiac insufficiency
According to the German Heart Report , which is published annually by the German Heart Foundation, the total number of patients treated in hospital for heart failure or heart failure has been increasing for years. On the advice of the German Heart Report, effective prevention is achieved through regular physical activity, not smoking, lowering cholesterol and checking blood pressure. In addition, it is important to eat healthily. Above all, fruit and vegetables, whole grain products and healthy fats should be on your menu. Also, avoid being overweight and drink little alcohol.
treatment of heart failure
When treating heart failure, the focus is on treating the underlying disease, which is considered to be the cause of cardiac insufficiency, and alleviating the symptoms. Above all, drug treatment is considered the most important pillar and serves to relieve and protect the heart. For example, so-called ACE inhibitors are prescribed for high blood pressure. In some cases, surgery is necessary to insert a pacemaker. In addition, patients with cardiac insufficiency should live as healthily as possible. This includes a balanced diet, regular exercise and avoiding risk factors.
