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Definition

The inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood to the rest of the body can cause a chronic condition called heart failure.

Symptoms of heart failure

Breathlessness

People with heart failure often experience breathlessness when walking for a short distance.

Dizziness, fatigue and weakness

A decrease in blood supply flowing to the brain can cause these symptoms.

Rapid heart rate

The hearts beats at a faster pace to pump more blood to the other parts of the body.

Weight gain

Heart failure causes retention of fluid in the body, which leads to weight gain.

Risk factors

High blood pressure

High cholesterol level

Diabetics

Obese individuals

High alcohol intake

Treatment for heart failure

The primary treatment of heart failure is with medication.

Surgery can treat heart failure unresponsive to medication.

Heart failure is like growing old overnight, without gradual aging giving you the chance to get used to it.

A diagnosis in heart failure is worse than many forms of cancer, with a mortality rate of 50% over 5 years. Take action to reduce the risk of death and hospitalization

– David Elsley

A story on heart failure

Mrs. Jayashree

Mrs. Jayashree was an elderly woman living in rural India. She stayed with her daughter and son-in-law and was a strong believer in the traditional medicine of Ayurveda. She felt breathless one night, and decided to visit a traditional medicine practitioner. The Ayurvedic practitioner on seeing her gave her some cream and told her to place the cream on her forehead. Mrs. Jayashree then returned home, applied the cream and went to sleep.

Everything appeared fine the next day. She had a good breakfast and started cooking. While standing in the kitchen, she started feeling dizzy. The entire room was spinning around. She then lied down on the couch and fell asleep. Her daughter tried to wake her up after an hour, but to no avail.

Her daughter definitely knew something was wrong. She and her husband rushed Mrs. Jayashree to TMA Pai Hospital, Udupi. There were sounds of loud screaming and crying coming from Mrs. Jayashree’s family members as they approached the emergency department. I was the medical officer on duty along with two of my colleagues that night.

Attempts to save Mrs. Jayashree

When Mrs. Jayashree was brought in, she was unconscious. She had no pulse and no recordable blood pressure. In addition, no breathing movements were observed. We started all emergency protocols and even conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to revive Mrs.Jayashree. An ECG done showed a flat line while ECHO done showed signs of heart failure.

Despite being unconscious, Mrs. Jayashree’s heart started beating at a regular rhythm following the CPR. Following this, my colleagues and I rushed her to the critical care unit. Ventilation was continued through a bag mask.

As we approached the critical care unit, she then had 2 more episodes of cardiac arrest. We performed CPR throughout both cardiac arrests for a few hours. Her pulse did not return after an hour following the last cardiac arrest. She was pronounced dead early in the morning.

Mrs. Jayashree was actually brought dead before arrival to the hospital. Arriving a day earlier at the hospital would have prevented her demise.

Mrs. Jayashree was a stonge believer in the Indian traditional medicine, Ayurveda. While Ayurveda has proof of healing minor ailments such as arthritis and back pain, Mrs. Jayashree was found to have heart failure.

Thus, I advise all individuals to seek assistance early when symptoms of heart failure start to appear. The prognosis with early treatment is much higher.

It’s okay to be scared. Being scared means that you’re about to do something really brave. ReadQuote

Change the way you live

Should you think you might have symptoms of heart failure, visit your local physician immediately for assistance.

If you have an underlying heart failure, there are ways to improve your heart condition.

Exercise regularly

Follow a low salt diet

Quit smoking

Avoid alcohol

Get adequate sleep and rest

I am the master of my fate I am the captain of my soul

– William Ernest Henley

Changing the way you live can lead to a long and prosperous life.

Are you interested to know if you have a heart disease? Click here

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