Heart failure is a serious condition that impacts many individuals worldwide. Despite its prevalence, there are various myths and misconceptions about this condition. In this article, Dr Rakesh K Jaswal, Director and Head of Department, Cardiology, Director – Cath Lab, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, debunked myths and stated facts about heart failure.
Dr Jaswal said, “Heart failure is a health condition when the heart fails to pump blood as efficiently as it should. In simpler terms, the heart struggles to pump effectively enough to meet the body's oxygen and blood flow requirements. The primary causes of heart failure are heart disease, especially coronary artery disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), and diabetes.”
According to HHS Public Access, heart failure is prevalent in India due to coronary heart disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and rheumatic heart disease, affecting 1.3–4.6 million people.
Symptoms Of Heart Failure
Heart failure can affect both sides of the heart, although the left side is typically affected first. As the heart's pumping ability declines, there are common symptoms that may become apparent, including:
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Persistent coughing or wheezing
- Fatigue and weakness
- Swelling in the abdominal area
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias)
- Reduced capacity for physical activity or exercise
- Persistent chest pain or discomfort
- Loss of appetite and nausea
- Difficulty concentrating or decreased mental alertness
- Frequent urination, especially at night (nocturia)
- Swollen or tender abdomen (ascites)
- Increased need to urinate, especially at night
- Sudden onset of dizziness or lightheadedness
- Swollen neck veins
Common Myths Around Heart Failure
Myth 1: It is often taken as a heart attack and cardiac arrest
Dr Jaswal said, “Heart attack, heart failure, and cardiac arrest are critical medical conditions that require immediate emergency attention. They are distinct conditions with different characteristics. A heart attack occurs when the heart muscles do not receive adequate blood flow, while heart failure occurs when the heart fails to pump blood adequately. Cardiac arrest, on the other hand, happens when the heart abruptly stops beating.”
Myth 2: It only affects people over 65 years
Dr Jaswal added, “There is a widespread misconception that heart failure only affects older individuals. Although it is more prevalent in people over 65, heart failure can occur at any age, including children.” In fact, due to increasing rates of obesity and diabetes, heart failure is becoming more common in the younger population.
Myth 3: Heart Failure is untreatable
Another common myth is that heart failure is incurable. There are several treatment options available to help manage symptoms and improve the overall health of Heart Failure patients. Dr Jaswal added, “These may involve medications, lifestyle modifications, and, in some cases, surgery. With advancements in medical sciences, device implantations are recommended treatment options for certain groups of patients, like pacemakers, Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICD) implantation, or Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT) device implantation, for efficient treatment and management of heart failure symptoms.”
Also Read: Watch Out For These Early Signs Of Heart Failure
Myth 4: The heart stops working in heart failure
Dr Jaswal informed, “It is important to clarify that heart failure does not mean the heart has completely stopped functioning. Rather, it signifies that the heart is unable to pump blood as effectively as it should.” This may cause symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and swelling in the legs and feet. While heart failure is a serious condition, it is distinct from cardiac arrest, which is a sudden loss of heart function necessitating immediate medical attention.
Myth 5: Heart failure is equivalent to a death sentence
One common misconception is that heart failure is deadly. However, early diagnosis, advancements in treatment, and increased awareness of heart failure symptoms have significantly improved outcomes.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the prognosis of a heart failure patient is determined by several factors, including their functional capacity, which refers to how their body responds to physical exercise.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is shared by a healthcare expert and is for educational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your doctor for more information or a treatment catered to your needs.
