Heart Failure Understanding and Prevention

by National Institute on Aging

In heart failure, the heart cannot pump enough blood through the body. The heart cannot fill with enough blood or pump with enough force, or both. Heart failure develops over time as the pumping action of the heart gets weaker. It can affect either the right, the left, or both sides of the heart. Heart failure does not mean that the heart has stopped working or is about to stop working.

In most cases, heart failure affects the left side of the heart when it cannot pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. When heart failure affects the right side, the heart cannot pump enough blood to the lungs, where it picks up oxygen.

In normal hearts, blood vessels called veins bring oxygen-poor blood from the body to the right side of the heart. It is then pumped through the pulmonary artery to the lungs, picking up oxygen. From there, the blood returns to the left side of the heart. Then it is pumped through a large artery called the aorta that distributes blood throughout the body.

When the heart is weakened by heart failure, blood and fluid can back up into the lungs, and fluid builds up in the feet, ankles, and legs. People with heart failure often experience tiredness and shortness of breath.

Heart failure is a serious condition. Scientists estimate that 5 million people in the U.S. have heart failure and that number is growing. It contributes to 300,000 deaths each year. Heart failure is most common in those who are age 65 years and older and is the number one reason older people are hospitalized.

Heart failure tends to be more common in men than in women, but because women usually live longer, the condition affects more women in their 70s and 80s.

Heart failure can also be called congestive heart failure, systolic heart failure, diastolic heart failure, left-sided heart failure, or right-sided heart failure.

Quiz

1. Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood through the body.

TRUE is the correct answer. Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood through the body. Heart failure develops over time as the pumping action of the heart gets weaker.

2. When the heart's pumping ability is weakened, this can cause swelling in the ankles and legs, shortness of breath, and fluid in the lungs.

TRUE is the correct answer. The weakening of the heart's pumping ability causes a number of things to happen - blood and fluid can back up into the lungs, and fluid builds up in the feet, ankles, and legs. People with heart failure often experience tiredness and shortness of breath.

3. Heart failure is most common in those who are under 65 years old.

FALSE is the correct answer. Heart failure is most common in those who are age 65 years and older and is the number one reason older people are hospitalized.

4. Men have a higher rate of heart failure than women.

TRUE is the correct answer. Heart failure tends to be more common in men than in women, but because women usually live longer, it affects more women in their 70s and 80s.

Risk Factors and Prevention

Heart failure can happen to almost anyone. It is most common in people over 65, and is more common in African-Americans. Also, men have a higher rate of heart failure than women. It is the number one reason for hospitalization for people over age 65.

Heart failure is caused by other diseases or conditions that damage the heart muscle. It is often caused by coronary artery disease, including heart attacks. Diabetes and high blood pressure also contribute to heart failure risk.

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in men and women. It happens when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become hardened and narrowed. People who have had a heart attack are at high risk to develop heart failure.

There are a number of things that you can do to reduce risk of coronary artery disease and heart failure.

Keeping your cholesterol levels healthy can help prevent coronary artery disease. For most people, the targets are:

LDL, or "bad" cholesterol - below 100
HDL, or "good" cholesterol - above 40 in men and above 50 in women
Triglycerides, another fat in the blood - below 150

High blood pressure causes the heart to get larger and work harder, which can then lead to heart failure. You should aim for a blood pressure level of 130/80 or below. Talk to your doctor about ways to lower your blood pressure.

Diabetes is characterized by having too much glucose, or sugar, in the blood for a long time. This can cause heart problems because high blood glucose can damage parts of the body such as the heart and blood vessels. This damage weakens the heart, often leading to heart failure.

You can help prevent heart disease by losing weight if you are overweight, quitting smoking, and limiting the amount of alcohol you drink. Doctors also recommend that you eat a diet low in salt because salt can cause extra fluid to build up in your body.

Limiting foods that are high in saturated fat or cholesterol, such as meats, butter, dairy products with fat, eggs, shortening, lard, and foods with palm oil or coconut oil, can help you maintain a heart-healthy diet. Heart-healthy foods include those high in fiber, such as oat bran, oatmeal, whole-grain breads and cereals, fruits, and vegetables.

Exercise also helps keep your heart strong. Aim for at least 30 minutes a day of exercise.

Quiz

1. Which diseases and conditions most often damage heart muscle, leading to heart failure?

A. stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease
B. coronary artery disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure
C. cancer, high blood pressure, and stroke

B is the correct answer. Coronary artery disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure all have the potential to damage heart muscle. This damage can then lead to heart failure.

2. Heart failure is most common among

A. people over age 65
B. African-Americans
C. men
D. all of the above

D is the correct answer. While heart failure can happen to almost anyone, it is most common in those over the age of 65 and in African-Americans, and more common in men than in women.

3. What are some ways to help prevent heart failure?

A. quit smoking
B. exercise
C. limit foods high in cholesterol and saturated fat
D. all of the above

D is the correct answer. There are several steps you can take to lower your risk of heart failure. These include losing weight, limiting alcohol, exercising, and quitting smoking. Ask your doctor for more tips on how to protect your heart.

4. What kinds of foods should you eat to follow a heart-healthy diet?

A. bacon, cheeseburgers, and fries
B. ice cream and yogurt
C. vegetables and fruits

C is the correct answer. Heart-healthy foods include vegetables and fruits and other foods that are high in fiber, such as oatmeal, whole-grain breads and cereals, and oat bran.

About the Author

www.nia.nih.gov
NIA, one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of NIH, leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. In 1974, Congress granted authority to form NIA to provide leadership in aging research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs relevant to aging and older people.