Symptoms of heart failure
Dr Sayeed, a cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon at Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru, India, said that in the early stages of heart failure, there may be no obvious symptoms except some fatigue, persistent cough, fever and swelling in the legs. As the condition progresses, the symptoms may worsen as the heart gradually cannot keep up with the workload.
“Sometimes the heart will get bigger and stretch to squeeze harder and keep up with the body’s need to pump more blood. The blood vessels narrow to maintain high blood pressure. The kidneys retain more salt and water instead of excreting it in the urine,” Dr. Sayeed said, adding that this increases blood volume, which helps maintain blood pressure and allows the heart to pump harder. But over time, this extra volume can overload the heart, worsening heart failure.
Causes of heart failure
Diabetes: Uncontrolled diabetes can cause the heart muscle to enlarge, impairing the heart's ability to pump blood effectively.
High blood pressure: High blood pressure can lead to heart failure by preventing the heart from relaxing properly.
Ischemic heart disease: This condition arises due to narrowing of the heart arteries, reducing the blood supply to the heart muscle.
Other conditions: This condition is caused by a rare condition called alcoholic cardiomyopathy, where excessive alcohol consumption damages the heart.
How to avoid heart failure?
Diabetes Control: Maintain HbA1c (average blood sugar over three months) below 6.5% through continuous monitoring.
Focus on a balanced diet rich in nutrients and low in sugar. Do not adjust your insulin or medication dosage without consulting your healthcare provider.
Control of high blood pressure: to keep your diastolic blood pressure below 90 mmHg. Higher numbers can lead to serious heart problems.
Lifestyle changes: Regular exercise, a low-sodium, high-fiber diet, and weight control can help control blood pressure. Monitor your cholesterol levels and limit alcohol and quit smoking.
Early treatment: If diagnosed with ischemic heart disease, seek prompt medical intervention such as angioplasty or bypass surgery to ensure adequate blood supply to the heart.
Dr. Sayeed notes that heart failure gets worse over time, so watch for changes in your body. Weighing yourself daily is one way to monitor fluid buildup.
For example, swelling in the legs and feet can also mean more fluid is building up.
You should also monitor your blood pressure and especially your blood sugar. Get regular blood tests as this will help your doctor adjust your medication.
