Even though the heart is on the left side, it must always function right before our body and soul can function optimally. Our concern here, on Citizen comfort, will be restricted to the body. So, we consign the soul issue to another realm.
Heart is central to the survival of the body. It’s the heart that pumps blood with oxygen to every part of the body. If for any reason or reasons that this function is impaired, the bodily functions and general health may be traumatized such that our survival becomes threatened.
Heart failure occurs when the heart fails to pump the blood as it should. Yes, ageing causes the body to slow down, but when you are yet to advance to sixth, seventh decades and above, yet climbing a flight of stairs, that you once took two at a time, now feel as challenging as climbing Olumo rock without motorized elevator, or you effortlessly enter into fatigue and breathlessness modes without any visible efforts on strenuous works or exercise(s), these and many more may be signals that your heart is not functioning as well as it should.
Medical experts say that there is a tendency for people to ignore heart failure symptoms and attribute them to just getting older. It’s therefore very pertinent to create an easy way to identify the symptoms of heart failure. To help both doctors and patients quickly spot a possible combination of heart failure symptoms, the Heart Failure Society of America developed a handy tool that goes by the acronym FACES.
FACES of heart failure
According to Heart and cardio vascular expert, Dr Mandeep R. Mehra, heart failure occurs when something damages the heart muscle or reduces the heart’s ability to pump effectively. This can stem from coronary artery disease or heart attack, faulty heart valves, longstanding high blood pressure, and genetic disease. “No matter what the cause is, the failing heart can no longer pump well enough to keep up with the body’s demand for oxygen-rich blood” says Dr Mehra.
The acronym FACES means
F = Fatigue. When the heart can’t pump enough oxygen-rich blood to meet the body’s energy needs, a general feeling of tiredness or fatigue sets in.
A = Activity limitation. People with heart failure are often unable to do their normal activities because they become easily tired and short of breath.
C = Congestion. Fluid build- up in the lungs can result in coughing, wheezing, and breathing difficulty.
E = Edema or ankle swelling. When the heart doesn’t have enough pumping power to force used blood back up from the lower parts, fluid can collect in the ankles, legs, thighs, and abdomen. Excess fluid can also cause rapid weight gain.
S = Shortness of breath. Fluid in the lungs makes it more difficult for carbon dioxide in used blood to be exchanged for fresh oxygen. It may also be harder to breathe when lying down because gravity allows fluid from below the lungs to travel up the torso
Other general signs of heart failure include
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Reduced ability to exercise
- Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged phlegm
- Increased need to urinate at night
- Swelling of abdomen (ascites)
- Very rapid weight gain from fluid retention
- Lack of appetite and nausea
- Difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness
- Chest pain, if it’s caused by a heart attack
- Protruding neck veins
Do you experience any of these symptoms? If you do, remain calm. Don’t try to diagnose yourself. Seek medical attention for proper diagnosis because other possible causes including other life-threatening heart and lung conditions might be responsible for the symptoms
Prevalence & Risk Factor
Reports from medical journals (AMJ, Journal of heart failure) put current global prevalence of heart failure at 64.34 million cases and an estimated 8.52%/ 1000 people are living with heart failure worldwide.
In developed countries, the prevalence of known heart failure is generally estimated at 1% to 2% of the general adult population.
Low social economic status, according to Journal Reports, assessed by all common measures (education, income, occupation, location) increases risk of heart failure by 62%. Possible mechanisms for higher incidences of heart failure in socioeconomically most deprived, according to the report, include physical inactivity, poor diet, smoking, hard drugs, paraga drinks (very prevalent in Nigeria), access to health facilities and medication including non-adherence to medicaton..
Many of the SEC factors explain why heart failure is high in Africa.
Other risk factors include:
-Heart diseases.
-Anaemia
-Hyperthyroidism
-Hypothyroidism
Habits
-eating foods high in fat or cholesterol
-living a sedentary lifestyle
Causes
Heart failure can be caused by many medical conditions that damage the heart muscle. Common conditions are:
- Coronary artery disease (hardening of the arteries) affects the arteries that carry blood and oxygen to the heart (coronary arteries). The normal lining inside the arteries breaks down, the walls of the arteries become thick, and deposits of fat and plaque partially block the flow of blood. Over time, the arteries become very narrow or completely blocked. The blockage keeps the heart from being able to pump enough blood to keep organs and tissues (including heart) healthy. When arteries are blocked, you may have chest pain and other symptoms of heart disease.
- Heart attack. A heart attack happens when a coronary artery suddenly becomes blocked and blood cannot flow to all areas of the heart muscle. The heart muscle becomes permanently damaged and muscle cells may die. Normal heart muscle cells may work harder. The heart may get bigger.
- Cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is a term that describes damage to and enlargement of the heart muscle not caused by problems with the coronary arteries or blood flow. Cardiomyopathy can occur due to many causes, including viruses, alcohol or drug abuse, smoking, genetics and pregnancy (peripartum cardiomyopathy).
- Heart defects present at birth (congenital heart disease).
- Diabetes.
- High blood pressure(hypertension). Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of blood vessels (arteries). High blood pressure means the pressure in the arteries is higher than normal. When blood pressure is high, your heart has to pump harder to move blood to the body. This can cause the left ventricle to become thick or stiff. High blood pressure can also cause coronary arteries to become narrow and lead to coronary artery disease.
- Abnormal heart rhythms.
- Kidney disease.
- Obesity(being overweight).
- Tobacco and illicit drug use including paraga drinks.
Medications. Some drugs used to fight cancer (chemotherapy) can lead to heart failure.
It is very important for you to manage your other health conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, anemia, high blood pressure, thyroid disease and asthma or chronic lung disease. These conditions have signs and symptoms that are similar to heart failure.
Management & Treatment
*NO SELF MEDICATION CONSULT A PHYSICIAN*
Treatment of heart failure depend on the type of heart failure and, in part, what caused it. Medications and lifestyle behaviours are part of every patient’s treatment plan. Your healthcare team will talk to you about the best treatment plan for you.
Medical experts say heart failure is a chronic long-term condition that gets worse with time. There are four stages of heart failure (Stage A, B, C and D). The stages range from high risk of developing heart failure to advanced heart failure. Ask your healthcare provider what stage of heart failure you are in, and follow the treatment plans.
According to the experts, as the condition gets worse, your heart muscle pumps less blood to your organs, and you move toward the next stage of heart failure. You cannot go backwards through the stages. For example, if you are in Stage B, you cannot be in Stage A again. The goal of treatment is to keep you from progressing through the stages or to slow down the progression.
You must take steps to improve your heart health. Take your medications as instructed, follow a low-sodium diet, stay active or become physically active, take notice of sudden changes in your weight, live a healthy lifestyle, keep your follow-up appointments, and track your symptoms.
Afterall, in the realm of the spirit where faith is activated, the onus is on you to take care of your heart.
“Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life” Proverb 4:23
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