Heart Failure

It does not mean the heart stops. It is a disease where the heart muscle weakens and loses its elasticity due to past heart attacks, blood pressure, or valve diseases, and cannot pump the clean blood the body needs.

When the heart cannot eject blood forward, the blood backs up and increases the pressure inside the vessels. It is called by this name because this high pressure pushes fluid out of the vessels, causing water to pool (congestion/edema) in the lungs, abdomen, and legs.

In left heart failure, fluid leaks into the lung air sacs. The patient wakes up suddenly with a feeling of suffocation, especially when lying flat in bed at night (Orthopnea). In order to sleep, they have to stack 3-4 pillows or sleep sitting in a chair. A foamy/pink sputum and a persistent cough begin alongside it.

In right heart failure, fluid accumulates not in the lungs, but in the lower parts of the body due to gravity. When fingers are pressed into the ankles, a pit remains (pitting edema). Additionally, the abdomen swells and loss of appetite occurs due to fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites).

The gold standard of diagnosis is Echocardiography (ECHO - Heart Ultrasound). With this test, the contraction power of the heart (Ejection Fraction - EF ratio) is measured precisely. In the blood, the severity of the failure is determined by testing the 'BNP (Pro-BNP)' hormone, which shows that the heart is stretched.

Heart failure is a chronic process; it cannot be completely reset, but it is excellently managed with medication.
1. Diuretics (Water Pills): Saves the patient from suffocating by excreting excess water pooled in the body and lungs through the kidneys.
2. Heart-Protecting Medications: New generation ARNI and Beta blocker pills are given that lighten the workload of the heart and extend its lifespan.
3. Devices: In advanced stages, Pacemakers (CRT) or Shock Devices (ICD) are implanted to make both sides of the heart beat at the same time. In the very final stage, a Heart Transplant is required.