The consequences: The organs are no longer properly supplied with blood and nutrients, resulting in shortness of breath, exhaustion and water retention (edema), for example in the legs or ankles. The disease is one of the most common causes of death in our country.
Heart failure: do you really not notice anything?
"Hardly at first, that's the tricky thing. But if you are short of breath over a long period of time after just a little exertion and your legs get heavy, you could have heart failure."
... and then what happens?
"The symptoms get worse. Those affected gain up to two kilos a week because water accumulates in the body. They have swollen legs and ankles, suffer from shortness of breath at night and have to sit up in bed to get air. That's when it becomes critical."
What can I do then?
"See a specialist as soon as possible to diagnose the cause. Heart failure is not a disease in its own right, but the result of other conditions that are often easily treatable. It can only be cured if the cause is remedied, for example with a new heart valve."
What are the causes of heart failure?
"In around a third of patients, poorly controlled high blood pressure, circulatory problems in the heart, a family history of heart disease, but also heart disease in general."
How is a weak heart treated?
"The aim is to relieve the heart. The therapy includes ACE inhibitors. They lower blood pressure. Beta blockers reduce stress hormones and diuretics help against fluid retention."
What can I do myself if I have heart failure?
"A Mediterranean diet is good for the heart. You should lose excess weight. Exercise for around 20 to 30 minutes, preferably three times a week."
Summarized once again: Heart failure - where does it come from, what should I do?
See a doctor if you are short of breath and exhausted
The symptoms of heart failure are often blamed on increasing age. But a healthy heart can remain efficient for 100 years. So anyone who has recently started to run out of breath quickly, is often very exhausted or has swollen legs in the evening should see a doctor.
There are many causes of heart failure
The most common cause of heart failure is calcification of the coronary arteries. The vessels constrict, the heart muscle is undersupplied and is no longer as efficient. The second main cause is high blood pressure. This means that the heart has to pump harder all the time. In the long term, however, it cannot withstand this strain - the pumping capacity decreases and the heart wears out. Cardiac arrhythmia and myocarditis are also often the cause of heart failure. Defects in the cardiac septum and heart valve defects can also lead to heart failure. Diabetes or thyroid dysfunction often play a role in the disease.
There are different forms of insufficiency
A distinction is made between acute and chronic heart failure: in acute heart failure, symptoms occur within a few hours or days. The causes are usually other illnesses such as a heart attack. Chronic heart failure develops over several months to years.
Exercise and diet are important components
The therapy is made up of several components and depends primarily on the degree of the disease. Personal lifestyle is also important. Medication can help. In severe cases, a pacemaker or heart transplant may be necessary. Effective therapy always includes exercise and a healthy diet.