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Common Myths Regarding Heart Failure

Heart failure isn’t a heart attack—it’s a chronic condition where the heart struggles to pump blood efficiently
10:58 PM Jan 30, 2025 IST | Prof Upendra Kaul
common myths regarding heart failure
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What is Heart Failure ?

Heart failure (HF) is a common medical problem seen at all ages though elderly people are more prone to it. Heart failure means inadequate pumping functioning of the heart. It leads to congestion in the lungs because of pooling of blood which translates into cough and shortness of breath. In advanced cases subject is unable to walk but in early cases there is limitation like inability to climb stairs etc because of shortness of breath. The reduced output of blood which supplies nutrients to the body including muscles leads to fatigue, weakness and lassitude. HF also leads to repeated hospitalizations and every hospitalization is a burden on the society besides making the patient sicker and closer to eventual death. Heart failure is also a common cause of sudden death because of heart rhythm becoming chaotic.

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Some Common Myths about this condition

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  1. Heart Failure and Heart attack are the same.

No, they are not the same

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Heart attack or myocardial infarction occurs because of sudden blockage of an artery supplying blood to heart muscle. If the attack involves a large portion of the heart muscle it leads to heart failure. These are different conditions. Heart failure can have several other causes like long standing high blood pressure, heart valve disease, birth defects of the heart, long standing lung diseases, cardiomyopathies etc.


  1. Heart failure is always fatal.

No, it is associated with good survival rates

If diagnosed in time there are very good measures and medicines available for making the patient free of symptoms and live long. However once diagnosed the 5 years mortality can be up to 50%. These drugs include the well known now in medical spheres as the 4 pillars consisting of four classes of drugs started sequentially and continued. Patients who get recurrence despite it a condition called worsening heart failure an important drug has come by the name of Verciguat available easily. Some patients need implantable devices in addition to improve the heart function and prevent sudden death. These are called implantable defibrillators and special kind of pacemakers to re synchronize the heart beats.

The key is to take these agents under supervision for prolonged periods and see the physician or cardiologist on regular intervals.


  1. Heart failure means your heart has stopped beating

No, that is cardiac arrest and not heart failure.

The heart beats in heart failure are less forceful and often more frequent and not stopped. It is also called Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFref). Drugs improve the force by often reducing the demand on the heart by acting on the various organs and also slowing the rapid rhythms.

There are situations when the pumping is normal but the muscle has become stiff also called diastolic heart failure or Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HF pef). The treatment for this condition is different.


  1. Heart failure only affects older people

No, it can occur at all ages although more common in older people.

Even children and younger adults including pregnant ladies during pregnancy or after child birth can get it. Rheumatic heart disease and birth defects typically are associated with heart failure at younger ages. Heart attacks which are occurring these days at younger ages can bring in heart failure because of loss of muscle at much younger ages of 30’s and 40’s also.


  1. Heart failure cannot be prevented

No, it is preventable to a large extent.

You can reduce your risk of developing heart failure by adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle.

 

Measure to Reduce the Risk for getting Heart Failure

Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, manage stress, avoid smoking and an absolute no to alcohol.

Periodic yearly health checks

Work with your health care team to manage your cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. Diagnose risk factors early and manage them effectively.

Author is founder Director Gauri Kaul Foundation