Risk factors for heart failure
Heart failure is a condition when the heart is unable to pump the blood as it should. The lack of adequate blood supply not only then has implications for the rest of the bodily processes, but it can also cause problems like fluid retention, shortness of breath etc.
The other heart failure symptoms associated with heart failure include arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat, swelling in the lower extremities, fluid in the lungs, lack of energy, coughing and wheezing, reduced ability to perform physical activities and changes in appetite.
There are various ways in which you can manage heart failure. It can be severe enough to be fatal in some cases, whereas in others, it requires better management and care, as per the directions of your Cardiologist in Karachi.
Knowing the risk factors for heart failure
Knowing the risk factors for heart failure is important to not only avoid the condition altogether, but some then also contribute towards better disease management as well.
Age
People who are older have higher heart failure, since over time, the muscles of the heart become weaker, which then increases the risk of heart failure then.
Coronary artery disease
Coronary artery disease is caused on account of high cholesterol levels in the body, which leads to the formation of plaques in the arteries. These can impede blood flow, causing the heart to falter in its functioning, problems around the body and the heightened risk of heart failure.
Congenital heart defects
Congenital issues are those problems that are present from at birth. Some of these issues can cause the heart to not do its job properly, resulting then in heart failure.
Diabetes
Diabetes is remarked by the lack of proper blood sugar regulation in the body. The excess sugar remains in the blood, doing a lot of damage in its wake. Amongst the many problems that uncontrolled diabetes can lead to is also heart failure.
Genetic problems
Some people are more to heart failure because of their family history. Having a medical or family history of heart disease can lead to one getting heart failure. Furthermore, some ethnicities are also more prone to suffering from heart problems as well.
Heart Attack
Heart attack occurs when the oxygen supply to the heart is cut off, which then causes a part of the muscle to die. Naturally, in the aftermath of this trauma to the heart, it then also weakens the performance of the heart muscles. Heart attack can also then increase the risk of heart failure.
Heart valve disease
Heart valve helps in moderating the blood flow from one chamber to another. If there are issues with the valves, it can also then cause problems that amount then to heart failure.
Hypertension
Also known as high blood pressure, hypertension occurs when blood exerts greater force on the arterial walls. Heart then is forced to pump blood with greater effort, which can then impair the performance of the heart.
Unfortunately, it is not always easy to understand if you have hypertension. The symptoms can manifest after the problem has exacerbated.
Infections
Some infections can affect the heart directly, resulting in damage to the valve of the heart, leading to a condition known as endocarditis. A consequence of this infection is heart failure.
Moreover, infections otherwise can also heighten the immune response by the body, leading to inflammation. It can also then cause damage to the heart, which is a risk factor for heart failure.
Obesity
Obesity increases risk of heart failure itself, but also causes complications otherwise that heighten the probability of heart failure.
Arrhythmias
Arrhythmias refer to the heart beating either too fast or too slow. They can also be an indicator of something being amiss with the heart, including heart disease which then paves way for heart failure. If your heartbeat is arrhythmic, then you must visit the Best Cardiologist in Islamabad.
