04/15/2025
Heart failure is a disease that sounds really bad—and it is. But with proper care, lifestyle modification, and knowledge, individuals can live for years with it. This guide is here to make you or your loved one comprehend heart failure in the simplest manner possible. We'll discuss symptoms, causes, treatments, how long you can live with it, and more, so let's begin.
What Is Heart Failure?
Heart failure does not indicate that your heart has stopped beating. It indicates that your heart is not pumping blood in the way it should. When the heart fails to pump blood, the body is not receiving enough oxygen and nutrients to perform optimally.
There are two types of heart failure:
- Systolic heart failure: The muscles in the heart become weak and are unable to pump blood effectively.
- Diastolic heart failure: The heart gets stiff and cannot fill with blood adequately.
Either condition can disrupt your daily routine and cause symptoms that are tiring.
Read Also: What are the Common Causes of Heart Failure?
What Causes Heart Failure?
Numerous conditions and lifestyle choices may lead to heart failure. Some individuals are born with heart defects, while others acquire them throughout their lives.
The most prevalent causes are:
- High blood pressure: If your high blood pressure is not under control, your heart must work harder, weakening it.
- Coronary artery disease: When the arteries supplying blood to your heart become narrowed.
- Heart attack: A heart attack injures the heart muscle, impairing its ability to pump.
- Diabetes: Elevated blood sugar levels can harm the blood vessels and heart over a period of time.
- Obesity: Carrying too much weight puts extra stress on your heart.
- Alcohol and smoking: These can damage your heart muscle or blood vessels.
Sometimes, even infections or unknown reasons can lead to heart failure.
Read Also: What Causes Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
What Are the Symptoms of Heart Failure?
Heart failure symptoms can appear slowly over time, or they might come on suddenly. Not everyone has the same symptoms, and they can vary in severity.
The most common symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath – particularly when lying down or with exertion.
- Fatigue or weakness – feeling like you have no energy.
- Swelling in your legs, ankles, feet, or abdomen – caused by fluid accumulation.
- Weight gain – rapid, not due to fat.
- Coughing or wheezing – often worse at night or when lying down.
- More frequent nighttime needs to urinate – since your body excretes excess fluid when you're lying down.
- Chest pain or palpitations – feeling as if your heart is beating too fast or skipping beats.
Read Also: Heart Failure and COVID-19: What You Need to Know
How Is Heart Failure Diagnosed?
Your doctor will begin with your history and inquire about symptoms if he or she thinks you have heart failure. He or she might then recommend the following tests:
- Blood tests – to look for evidence of heart damage or other issues.
- Chest X-ray – to observe the size of your heart and whether there is fluid in your lungs.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) – to observe the rhythm of the heart.
- Echocardiogram – this is an ultrasound of the heart to observe how well it pumps.
- Stress test – to observe how your heart reacts to exercise.
- MRI or CT scan – to have a clearer look at the anatomy of your heart.
All these are great ways through which the doctors understand the seriousness of the condition and how the treatment should be done.
Read Also: How to avoid Cardiac Disease?
Can Heart Failure Be Cured?
Mostly no, heart failure cannot be fully cured. However, the condition can be managed very effectively.
Many people with heart failure live for many years with proper treatment. Think of it like diabetes or asthma—something that doesn’t go away, but can be controlled with medication, healthy habits, and regular check-ups.
Read Also: What causes Heart Attacks and how can they be prevented?
What Are the Best Treatment Options for Heart Failure?
Treatment for heart failure is usually a combination of lifestyle modifications, drugs, and occasionally procedures. Treatment aims to treat symptoms, enhance heart function, and slow the course of the disease.
1. Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes can make a huge difference:
- Low-salt diet: Too much salt makes your body retain water, and the symptoms get worse.
- Monitoring weight daily: Sudden weight gain indicates water retention.
- Exercise daily: Regular walking or yoga can make the heart healthy.
- Quit smoking and alcohol: They are additionally bad for the heart.
- Reduce stress: Meditation, deep breathing, or counseling can be helpful.
2. Medications
Your doctor can also prescribe medications that allow your heart to work properly. Among them are:
- ACE inhibitors or ARBs – to dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
- Beta-blockers – to reduce your heart rate and pump stronger.
- Diuretics – to reduce excess water in the body and swelling.
- Aldosterone blockers – to facilitate elimination of salt without disturbing potassium.
- Digoxin – to make your heart stronger and slower.
These medications work best together in low doses, based on how well your heart takes to them.
3. Devices or Surgery
If your heart failure is advanced, your doctor may recommend:
- Pacemaker: A small device inserted into the chest that keeps abnormal heart rhythms in line.
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD): This averts sudden cardiac arrest.
- Valve surgery: If the trouble is with a heart valve.
- Coronary bypass surgery: To open blocked arteries and increase blood flow.
- Heart transplant: In the worst cases when every treatment has been tried and failed and the person is otherwise healthy enough.
How Long May You Live If You Have Heart Failure?
One of the most popular questions is this one. The reason is that so many factors go into it:
- How soon the condition gets diagnosed
- How closely you stick to your treatment regimen
- How severe the heart failure is
- How old you are and how many other chronic illnesses
Some only live a few years after they have been diagnosed, but others live 10, 15, or even 20 years with the disease. Staying in close communication with your doctor, following the medications as directed, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can greatly increase your chances of living longer.
What Is Congestive Heart Failure?
"Congestive" heart failure only states there's fluid buildup—usually in the lungs, legs, or stomach. It's not a standalone disease but an in-between or one type of heart failure.
Some of the symptoms can be:
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing repeatedly
- Swelling in the lower half of your body
- Feeling heavy or bloated
It may happen if the heart doesn't contract forcefully enough (systolic) or doesn't fill to capacity (diastolic). Management is essentially the same but more fluid-oriented.
How Can You Simplify Daily Life while You Have Heart Failure?
Heart failure just means adapting, but this doesn't mean giving up your life.
Some tips to assist you with day-to-day living:
- Rest when you're tired – Don't overexert yourself.
- Watch for your symptoms – Keep a record of changes and report to your doctor.
- Sleep propped up with pillows – Breathing may be more difficult when lying flat.
- Plan ahead – Get important things done when you're most active.
Which Is the Best Hospital for Heart Failure in India?
India has several highly-rated hospitals for treating heart failure using state-of-the-art technology. These hospitals have trained cardiac staff, advanced equipment, and are equipped to provide both medication-based and surgical care. If you require heart failure treatment, make a call to a heart expert or cardiologist who works at one of these centers. Eternal Hospital in Jaipur is among the best hospitals for heart failure in India, known for its experienced cardiac team and modern facilities dedicated to comprehensive heart care.
Conclusion
Heart failure is a serious but treatable disease. With appropriate treatment, good support, and a couple of adjustments to your lifestyle, many individuals live full, productive lives for many years. Don’t feel shy to ask your doctor questions.