Heart Failure Sounds Scary — What Does It Really Mean?

Hearing the words heart failure can be alarming. Many people assume it means the heart has stopped working entirely. The truth is it's far less frightening when you understand what’s really happening.

Heart failure is a common, manageable medical condition that affects millions of people. It doesn’t mean the heart has failed; it means the heart isn’t pumping blood as efficiently as it should. With the right treatments, medications and follow-up care, many people live full, active lives with heart failure.

So, what exactly is heart failure?
Your heart’s job is to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. When the heart is weakened or stiffened, it has to work harder to do that job. Over time, it may not be able to keep up with the body’s needs. This is what health care clinicians call heart failure.

Heart failure can develop for a variety of reasons, including:

• Long-standing high blood pressure
• Heart valve problems
• Previous heart attack or coronary artery disease
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Diabetes or kidney disease
• Lifestyle factors like smoking, obesity or high-sodium diets
• Sleep apnea

Whatever the cause, one thing is consistent: early management makes a tremendous difference.

What symptoms should you watch for?

Heart failure symptoms can come on gradually and may be mistaken for simply “slowing down.” Common signs include:

• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in the legs, ankles or abdomen
• Rapid weight gain from fluid buildup
• Fatigue or reduced ability to exercise
• Waking up breathless at night
• Persistent cough
• Feeling full quickly or having less appetite

If you’re noticing these symptoms, it’s important to talk to your primary care clinician or cardiologist. Small changes in symptoms can signal that the body is holding on to extra fluid — something that can be treated early to help prevent complications.

The good news: heart failure is treatable

While heart failure is a chronic condition, it’s very manageable with the right approach. Treatments may include:

• Medications that help the heart pump more effectively
• Therapies that help the body release excess fluid
• Lifestyle modifications, such as reducing sodium, staying active and tracking weight
• Follow-up with heart specialists who monitor symptoms closely and adjust treatment when needed

When should you get help?

If you or a loved one has symptoms of heart failure — or has already been diagnosed —don’t wait to seek care. Talking with your clinician early can prevent small issues from becoming serious ones.

The Bayhealth Heart & Vascular Institute offers a dedicated Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Clinic for recently discharged patients and those who require close management. The clinic operates out of Bayhealth Cardiology, Dover, Governors Avenue and Bayhealth Cardiology, Milford, Sussex Avenue. Talk to your doctor about getting a referral or call the office to learn more today. You can reach the Dover office at 302-672-4600 and the Milford office at 302-422-6050.

Visit Bayhealth.org/HVI to learn more about the comprehensive cardiovascular care offered through the Bayhealth Heart & Vascular Institute.

Written by Heart Failure Specialist and CHF Clinic Lead Craig Laing, ANP-BC, who has over 15 years of experience helping patients manage CHF.