Heart failure is a clinical syndrome in which the heart cannot fill with or pump blood effectively enough to meet the body's needs. This lesson introduces the condition, explains how fluid congestion develops, and compares the main patterns of heart failure and their symptoms.
Heart failure (HF), also called congestive heart failure (CHF), is a syndrome rather than one single disease. It can arise when the heart's structure or function is impaired, affecting its ability to fill with blood, eject blood, or do both. The term cardiovascular insufficiency may describe a heart that cannot circulate enough blood to satisfy the body's needs.
All flashcards
What is heart failure?
A syndrome in which the heart's ability to fill with blood, pump blood, or both is impaired enough to affect the body's circulation.
What is congestion in heart failure?
A build-up of blood and fluid behind an impaired part of the circulation, which can contribute to lung fluid or swelling in body tissues.
What is orthopnea?
Breathlessness that becomes worse when lying flat and may improve when a person sits upright or uses additional pillows.
What is right-sided heart failure commonly associated with?
Systemic venous congestion, which may cause peripheral edema, distended neck veins, liver enlargement, or ascites.
What does biventricular failure affect?
Both sides of the heart, so pulmonary congestion and systemic venous congestion may occur together.
Quiz questions
What information can an ECG provide when heart failure is being investigated?Answer: Evidence of rhythm disorders, ischemic changes, hypertrophy, or conduction delay.
Which ejection-fraction range generally defines HFrEF?Answer: An ejection fraction below 40%.
In NYHA Class III heart failure, what activity pattern is typical?Answer: Comfort at rest, with symptoms during less-than-ordinary activity.
Which set lists the four major medicine groups described for HFrEF combination therapy?Answer: ARNI or another suitable renin–angiotensin inhibitor, beta blocker, MRA, and SGLT2 inhibitor.
Based on the Wikipedia article Heart failure, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.