Classification of heart failure
There are many heart failure classifications being used. These classifications are used in order to help with a better understanding of the different stages and the treatment of the various stages. Here, two of the most common classifications will be described: The first classification separates patients into 4 classes (adapted from the New York Heart Association (NYHA) as detailed in (Inamdar et al., 2016)) Class I: This includes patients with various types of cardiomyopathies, but without any loss of physical capability, ordinary physical activity does not cause symptoms. Class II: patients do not display dyspnea or any other symptoms when practicing light exercise, but functional symptoms are only apparent after intense physical exertion. Heart failure causes slight limitations in physical activity, but patients are comfortable at rest. Class III: functional symptoms of heart failure are emergent during any kind of exertion, however light they may be, marked limitations of physical activity, patients are comfortable at rest but less than ordinary activity causes symptoms of HF. Class IV: patients exhibit signs of heart failure even at rest, but they become more severe during exertion, however, light it may be. Patients are unable to carry on any physical activity without heart failure symptoms. The second classification separates the condition into three stages: Stage 1: Is characterized only by changes in the heart cavities, and usually representative of the latent stage of heart failure. Those suffering from the condition at Stage 1 display: Dyspnea Palpitation Tachycardia (only during exertion) Stage 2: is separated into Stage 2A and Stage 2B. Stage 2A: Patients must sleep using a tall pillow, due to their dyspnea bothering them even while resting. They experience palpitations, hence they cannot sleep on their left side. They also experience: A sensation of heaviness in their right hypochondrium, as a consequence of a liver enlargement; Malleolar edema (around the ankles) emerging from the very onset appear in the evening and disappear in the morning, and later on, the edemas become stable and spread to the shins and to the lumbosacral region. Patients also suffer from: Cyanosis Tachycardia Stasis rales in the lungs Signs of renal stasis (albuminuria, hyaline cylinders, and high-density urine) Stage 2B: The symptoms mentioned above become more accentuated, the patients exhibit: Orthopnea (they have difficulties breathing if they sit in any other position than upright) A cough with hemoptoic (with blood) sputum, which also contains the so-called cardiac cells, etc. Upon an objective examination the patients exhibit: cyanosis generalized edema, or anasarca (edema in the entire body) the heart is enlarged in all directions, it is called cor bovinum heart rhythm problems hepatomegaly renal stasis, oliguria, nicturia (reduction of urination during the day and night) respiration of the Cheyne-Stokes type, as a consequence of cerebral perturbation, etc. An important symptom that differentiates Stage 2A from Stage 2B is the accumulation of transudate in the serous cavities; ascites, hydrothorax, and less commonly hydro pericarditis. Stage 3 is characterized by: Dystrophic changes (in various organs) The liver becomes sclerotic and cardiac cirrhosis develops Portal hypertension Spleen enlargement Varicose esophagus and hemorrhoids Irreversible ascites The skin becomes dry, the subcutaneous tissue disappears, the muscles become atrophied, the patients become cachectic (lose a lot of muscle mass, lose weight, and suffer from hypothermia. The heart is enlarged in all directions and a systolic noise is heard at the tricuspid valve as a consequence of its functional insufficiency. In this condition, the heart cannot compensate.
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Articles for heart failure
Heart failure (HF), often referred to as congestive heart failure (CHF), occurs when the heart is unable to pump sufficiently to maintain blood flow to meet the body's needs. Heart failure doesn't mean your heart has stopped working it just needs some support to help it work better.
The symptoms of heart failure can vary from person to person. They may start suddenly or develop gradually over weeks or months. The most common symptoms of heart failure are: shortness of breath, fatigue, swollen ankles and legs, etc.
If you have symptoms of heart failure , your GP will ask you to describe them in detail. They will also carry out a physical examination. Tests you may have to diagnose heart failure include: blood tests, an electrocardiogram (ECG), an echocardiogram, etc.
If you've been diagnosed with heart failure, making healthy lifestyle changes can help relieve your symptoms and reduce your risk of becoming seriously ill. Most people with heart failure are treated with medication. Often you'll need to take two or three different medicines.
It's very important to take good care of yourself if you have heart failure. Some of the main things you'll be advised to do are; take your medication, have a healthy diet, exercise regularly, stop smoking, make regular reviews.
Pathologies of the heart are characterized by a reduced potential energy of the heart. However, the heart still attempts to withstand this phenomenon via certain mechanisms, which affect the heart muscle and cause the following cardiomyopathies.
Heart failure is a condition which often can be accompanied by complications that range from mild to severe and life-threatening.
There are many heart failure classifications being used. These classifications are used in order to help with a better understanding of the different stages and the treatment of the various stages.