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Heart failure — or, ‘congestive heart failure’ (CHF) — occurs when your heart muscle has grown too weak to effectively pump blood throughout the body, or to fill up with blood properly. As a result, the muscles and organs in the body don’t get enough oxygen and nutrients. This may cause fluid to build up in your body and make you feel breathless or tired. Heart failure is usually an ongoing condition (chronic) — unlike heart attacks, which occur suddenly and require immediate treatment (acute). However, the conditions are related: a heart attack can cause ongoing muscle weakness and stiffness that leads to long-term heart failure. In some cases, symptoms of heart failure can also start suddenly. Heart failure is common in Australia, with around 30,000 Australians diagnosed with it each year. Someone with heart failure is also likely to have lung disease, diabetes, HIV or other conditions that can contribute to the damage to their heart muscle. Watch this video about heart failure from the Heart Foundation. It's also available in other languages, including Arabic, Greek, Italian and Mandarin. What are the symptoms of heart failure?A key symptom of heart failure is difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath. You may notice it in the following ways:
Other common signs of heart failure include: These symptoms can occur due to the lack of oxygen and nutrients reaching your muscles and organs and the build-up of fluid in your body. CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help. When should I call an ambulance?If you have any of the symptoms below, call triple zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance. If calling triple zero (000) does not work on your mobile phone, try calling 112.
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services. What causes heart failure?A healthy heart, will pump out at least half the volume of blood that fills its chambers every time the heart ‘beats’. With heart failure, your heart does one of 2 things:
Damage, weakness and stiffness to your heart typically develops after a heart attack or coronary heart disease. Other causes may include:
Your healthcare provider will investigate how your heart failure developed, which may inform how it’s managed it over time. For information on how COVID-19 affects the heart, visit this page on the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute website. How is heart failure diagnosed?Your doctor will typically begin by assessing your symptoms, asking about your family history and performing a physical examination. There are several tests that help to confirm a diagnosis of heart failure and identify which type it is:
How can I prevent heart failure?You can prevent heart failure by preventing coronary heart disease and heart attack. The best way to do this is to reduce or eliminate the risk factors that lead to heart failure. You could: If you have had a heart attack, it’s even more important to manage your risk factors and follow your treatment plan. Make sure you check in frequently with your healthcare team. Some risk factors — such as your age, whether you have other health conditions, or your genes — may be outside your control. Speak with your doctor if you have concerns about developing heart failure, and how you can manage it. ARE YOU AT RISK? — Are you at risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease? Use the Risk Checker to find out. How is heart failure treated?While there is no treatment to reverse or cure heart failure, there is a range of ongoing strategies to help you live longer and enjoy a better quality of life. Lifestyle changesMaintaining a healthy lifestyle is very important to help you manage heart failure. This includes:
MedicationsHeart failure is also treated with medicines. These can help you live longer and stay out of hospital. These may include:
You might also need medicine to treat angina, if you have it. If you think your medicine is not working, is causing you problems or you have any questions, talk to your doctor. Do not stop taking your medicines without talking to your doctor first. Other treatmentsIn some cases, you may need a surgical or medical device to help maintain regular heart function, such as: For some people with severe heart failure, the only option may be a heart transplant. After a heart transplant, you will need to be on lifelong anti-rejection medication and maintain a healthy lifestyle. ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist. Living with heart failureIn addition to your treatment, there are things you can do to feel better:
Living with heart failure can be emotionally and physically challenging. Hearing stories from others who have experienced heart conditions may be reassuring, and can help you know what to ask your doctor or specialist. Go to the Heart Foundation website for real-life 'heart stories'. Resources and supportFor more information and support, try these resources:
Other languagesDo you prefer to read languages other than English? The Heart Foundation has fact sheets on heart health translated into more than 25 languages. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. Last reviewed: September 2020 These trusted information partners have more on this topic.
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