Heart treatment : What are the stages of heart failure?

Dec 21, 2023

Heart treatment : What are the stages of heart failure?

Heart treatment may include: Changing your lifestyle: This could consist of cutting saturated fats from your meals, stopping the use of tobacco products or starting a walking program. Taking medicine: You can lower blood pressure and cholesterol with medicine.

What is congestive heart failure? [Heart treatment]

Heart failure, previously known as congestive heart failure, isn't a sudden stop but a gradual decline. It's a chronic condition where the heart struggles to pump enough blood to keep the body functioning properly. This can lead to oxygen deprivation, affecting the body's ability to work at its best. [Heart treatment]Despite the name, it's important to remember that heart failure doesn't mean the heart has stopped. It's more like a weakened pump, struggling to keep up.

This often happens after years of other heart conditions, such as:

Clogged arteries
High blood pressure
Valve problems
Birth defects in the heart
Weakening of the heart muscle
Past heart attacks
Irregular heartbeats
Toxin exposure (like excessive alcohol)

Understanding the underlying causes is crucial for doctors to choose the best treatment and help your heart pump stronger.

What are the stages of heart failure?

Heart failure severity can be categorized into four stages, based on how well your heart pumps and the level of symptoms you experience.

These symptoms commonly include:

Difficulty breathing: This can occur during activity or while lying down.
Swollen ankles: This is known as edema and can be a sign of fluid buildup.
Fatigue: You may feel easily tired or exhausted even after minimal activity.

Classification based on ejection fraction

Your heart's pumping power matters for heart failure diagnosis. Ejection fraction is a key measure of its strength, showing how much blood it pumps out with each beat. [Heart treatment]

Normal range:

50%-70% ejection fraction - your heart is doing great!

Borderline low:

40%-50% - your heart might be recovering or slowly weakening.

Struggling heart:

<40% - your heart needs help to pump enough blood.When symptoms occur with a normal ejection fraction, it's called heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). With a low ejection fraction (<40%), it's heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). And a "middle ground" (40%-49%) falls under heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF).

This classification helps guide treatment based on the specific weakness of your heart's pumping function.

Ejection fraction	Symptoms of HF?	HF type
50-70% (or greater)	No	No HF
50-70% (or greater)	Yes	HFpEF
40-50%	Yes	HFmrEF
<40%	Yes	HFrEF

Why is it important for patients to know what stage of heart failure they have?

Knowing your heart failure stage is crucial for several reasons:

1. Tailored Treatment:

It guides your doctor in choosing the most effective treatment plan based on your heart function and symptom severity. This ensures you receive the right medication, lifestyle changes, devices, or even surgery, if needed.

2. Enhanced Understanding:

You gain insight into why your doctor recommends specific treatments and which symptoms to prioritize when sharing your condition. This empowers you to actively participate in your healthcare journey.

3. Improved Outcomes:

Treatment aims to alleviate symptoms, reduce hospitalizations, and ultimately, extend lifespan. Knowing your stage helps your doctor create a long-term plan with these goals in mind.

4. Potential for Improvement:

Recent advancements in heart failure treatment can even improve your heart's pumping function and address limitations caused by the condition. Discussing your specific heart failure class and type with your doctor ensures you benefit from these advancements. [Heart treatment]Remember, open communication with your doctor is key to managing your heart failure effectively. By understanding your stage and treatment options, you can actively participate in improving your health and well-being.