The term "heart failure" can be frightening. It doesn't mean the heart has "failed" or stopped working. It means the heart doesn't pump as well as it should. It's the leading cause of hospitalization in the people over age 55. Although the risk of heart failure does not change as you get older, you are more likely to have heart failure when you are
older.

Facts About Heart Failure
1) Heart failure doesn't mean your heart isn't working at all. It means your heart is failing to work as well as it should, and needs proper care to help it work better.

2) Heart failure can affect the right or left side of your heart or both at the same time.

3) Most of the sufferers of heart failure are men. However, women are more likely to die from heart
failure when the condition goes untreated.

4) Heart failure isn't always caused by heart attack. It can also be caused by problems with the heart valves, high blood pressure, viral infections affecting the heart muscles, heart problems you're born with(congenital).

5) Many people with heart failure lead normal, active lives. They do so because they have learned to take good care of themselves by taking the right heart-health medication and living a healthier lifestyle.

Heart failure signs and
symptoms may include:
a) Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down
b) Fatigue and weakness
c) Rapid or irregular heartbeat
d) Persistent cough or wheezing
e) Nausea or lack of appetite
f) Difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness
g) Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet.

Some lifestyle measures can help treat heart failure and prevent the condition from developing :
a) Managing weight and exercising regularly.
b) Not smoking and limiting alcohol intake.
c) Avoiding foods high in fats.
d) Reducing the amount of salt in your diet can also
lower your risk.
e) Getting the right amount of sleep.

When Do You Need Medical Attention?
It's urgent that you seek medical care if you experience the following signs or symptoms of heart failure :
i) Chest pain (ii) Severe weakness or fainting
iii) Rapid or irregular heartbeat, associated with shortness of breath
iv) Sudden, severe shortness of breath and coughing up white or pink, foamy mucus.

Complications of Heart Failure
When left untreated over a long period, it may lead to the following complications : Kidney damage or failure, heart valve problem, liver damage.

Treatment of Heart Failure
The proper treatment of heart failure involves a
balance of the right medications and better lifestyle habits. I've been helping people to treat heart failure with the following fantastic supplements, so they don't have to worry about having any heart diseases, and enjoy quality life again.

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Heart failure is most often a chronic condition, your symptoms will likely get worse over time. Early treatment is key in preventing the most serious cases of heart failure.

Lifestyle changes : controlling certain conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, staying physically active, reducing and managing stress.

The term "heart failure" can be frightening. It doesn't mean the heart has "failed" or stopped working. It means the heart doesn't pump as well as it should.

Value your heart health.

If your blood pressure is high, your heart has to work harder than it should to circulate blood throughout your body. Over time, this extra exertion can make your heart muscle too stiff or too weak to properly pump blood.

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.

The right treatment for heart failure

There may be times that your symptoms are mild or you may not have any symptoms at all. This doesn't mean you no longer have heart failure. Symptoms of heart failure can range from mild to severe and may come and go.

Stage A is considered pre-heart failure. It means you’re at high risk of developing heart failure because you have a family history of heart failure or you have one or more of these medical conditions: hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, or you have a history of alcohol abuse.

Stage B is considered pre-heart failure. It means your healthcare provider has given you a diagnosis of systolic left ventricular dysfunction but you’ve never had symptoms of heart failure. Everyday activities can be done without difficulties, but exertion causes shortness of breath or fatigue.

People with Stage C heart failure have a heart failure diagnosis, and currently have or previously had signs and symptoms of the condition. There are many possible symptoms of heart failure here, the most common are: shortness of breath, feeling tired (fatigue), weak legs, swollen feet, ankles, lower legs and abdomen (edema).

People who have Stage D have advanced symptoms that don’t get better with treatment. For example, shortness of breath occurs even at rest. This is the final and most severe stage of heart failure.

As plaque builds up in the arteries of a person with heart disease, the inside of the arteries begins to narrow, which lessens or blocks the flow of blood.

If you have heart failure, your heart pumps less blood. That causes fluid to back up in your lungs and other body parts. Extra fluid in your lungs makes it hard to breathe. Extra fluid in your legs makes them swell. That extra fluid makes your heart work even harder. Then, your heart failure can get even worse.

Any problem that makes your heart weak or stiff can cause heart failure. Most disorders cause heart failure only after many years. However, some disorders, such as a major heart attack, can cause heart failure quickly.

A lot depends on how well your heart is working, your symptoms, and how well you follow and respond to your treatment plan. With the right treatment, heart failure will not stop you from doing the things you enjoy.

What are the symptoms of heart failure?
Feeling like you can’t catch your breath, which worsens when you lie flat, feeling tired all over, swelling in your feet, ankles, and legs.

Symptoms usually develop slowly. At first you may feel out of breath only when you climb stairs and notice only a little leg swelling at the end of the day. Later, you may feel out of breath or tired when you do ordinary activities. When heart failure is severe, you may be out of breath even sitting in a chair and have a lot of leg swelling all the time.

Treatment usually involves treating the disorder that's causing your heart failure, taking medicines, and making changes to your lifestyle.

Take charge of your heart health