Understanding Heart Failure: Causes, Symptoms, and Types

Heart failure is a complex and potentially life-threatening condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Despite its name, heart failure doesn't mean the heart has stopped working; rather, it refers to a condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, leading to a cascade of symptoms and complications. Heart failure must be treated as quickly as possible to help you avoid serious complications in the future. Dr. G. Mark Jenkins and Dr. Luis Bowen at Cardiac and Vascular Interventional Group in Dallas metroplex can explain what heart failure is and how it can be dealt with.

Understanding Heart Failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart's pumping function is compromised, leading to inadequate blood circulation to meet the body's needs. This can result from various factors, including damage to the heart muscle, narrowed arteries, high blood pressure, infections, or congenital heart defects. Over time, heart failure can lead to fluid buildup in the lungs and other tissues, which can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling.

It’s important to know when to visit your cardiologist in Dallas metroplex, for care. The symptoms of heart failure can vary depending on the severity of the condition but may include:

• Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity or when lying flat
• Fatigue and weakness
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen
• Persistent coughing or wheezing
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Reduced ability to exercise

Heart failure is often classified as one of 2 types. This includes:

• Systolic Heart Failure: This occurs when the heart's pumping function (systolic function) is impaired, leading to reduced ejection fraction—the amount of blood pumped out of the heart with each beat.
• Diastolic Heart Failure: In diastolic heart failure, the heart's ability to relax and fill with blood during the resting phase (diastole) is impaired, resulting in stiffening of the heart muscle and reduced filling capacity.

Contact Our Cardiologist Today

Make sure you have your heart health under control. Contact Dr. Jenkins and Dr. Bowen at Cardiac and Vascular Interventional Group in Dallas metroplex, to learn more about heart failure. Call for more information and to schedule your appointment today at (469) 437-3560.