Committed to Care
Cardiovascular diseases
Heart Failure
It does not mean that the heart has "stopped working".
What is it
Heart failure is a clinical syndrome in which the heart cannot adequately respond to the needs of the body or this is achieved by increased filling pressures.
It can appear in different forms and is not characterized only by the ejection fraction.
What symptoms can it cause?
Common symptoms are:
- shortness of breath on exertion
- reduced endurance
- fatigue
- swelling in the legs
- difficulty breathing when lying down;
These symptoms do not necessarily mean heart failure, as they can appear in many other conditions.
How is the evaluation done?
The diagnosis is not based on a single finding.
Combine:
- history and symptoms
- clinical examination
- electrocardiogram
- Echocardiogram
- laboratory tests when needed
- previous cardiac history
- accompanying diseases.
How it is treated and monitored
Treatment depends on the type of heart failure, its cause, symptoms and accompanying health problems.
Systematic monitoring is of particular importance for the evaluation of symptoms, treatment and possible changes in the course of the disease.
When is an immediate assessment needed?
Sudden or significant worsening of shortness of breath, severe difficulty breathing at rest, chest pain, fainting, or rapid worsening of general condition require immediate medical evaluation.
In case of emergency call it 112 or the 166. Do not wait for a response from the contact form.