Definition

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A m e r i c a' s H e a l t h S e a r c h E n g i n e

Definition of Failure, heart
Failure, heart: Inability of the heart to keep up with the demands on it and, specifically, failure of the heart to pump blood with normal efficiency. When this occurs, the heart is unable to provide adequate blood flow to other organs such as the brain, liver and kidneys. Heart failure may be due to failure of the right or left or both ventricles. The signs and symptoms depend upon which side of the heart is failing. They can include shortness of breath dyspnea, asthma due to the heart cardiac asthma, pooling of blood stasis in the general body systemic circulation or in the liver's portal circulation, swelling edema, blueness or duskiness cyanosis, and enlargement hypertrophy of the heart. There are many causes of congestive heart failure including: 1 coronary artery disease leading to heart attacks and heart muscle weakness, 2 primary heart muscle weakness from viral infections or toxins such as prolonged alcohol exposure, 3 heart valve disease causing heart muscle weakness due to too much leaking of blood or heart muscle stiffness from a blocked valve, and 4 hypertension high blood pressure. Rarer causes include hyperthyroidism high thyroid hormone, vitamin deficiency, and excess amphetamine "speed" use. The aim of therapy is to improve the pumping function of the heart. General treatment includes salt restriction, diuretics to get rid of excess fluid, digoxin to strengthen the heart, and other medications. Specific treatment of congestive heart failure needs also to be directed toward the specific underlying cause of the problem.