Congestive Heart Failure: Causes, Risk Factors, and Treatments
Heart Failure Program
At Saint Alphonsus, we provide comprehensive care for people living with heart failure. Our team includes heart specialists, surgeons, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who work together to create a treatment plan that fits your needs. We also provide advanced treatment options, including heart pumps (VADs) and heart transplant evaluations when needed.
What Is Heart Failure?
Heart failure is a condition that happens when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. As a result, fluid can build up in the lungs, legs, or other parts of the body, causing symptoms that affect daily life
Heart failure is a long-term condition, but many people can manage it successfully with the right care and treatment.
Types of Heart Failure
- Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF)
- This occurs when the heart muscle becomes weak and cannot pump enough blood to the body. Over time, the heart may become enlarged.
- Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF)
- This occurs when the heart becomes stiff and cannot fill with enough blood between heartbeats.
Some people develop advanced heart failure, which can cause severe symptoms and may require specialized treatments
Common Causes of Heart Failure
Heart failure can be caused by many conditions, including:
- Certain cancer treatments
- Congenital heart conditions (present at birth)
- Coronary artery disease
- Diabetes
- Heart attack
- Heart inflammation
- Heart rhythm disorders
- Heart valve disease
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
Common Symptoms
Symptoms of heart failure may include:
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing while lying down
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Ongoing tiredness or fatigue
- Shortness of breath during activity or at rest
- Sudden weight gain from fluid buildup
- Swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen
If you experience these symptoms, talk with your healthcare provider. Early diagnosis and treatment can help improve your health and quality of life.
Patient Story
Heart Failure Treatment
Heart failure requires ongoing care, but many treatments can help manage symptoms and improve heart function. Your care team will work with you to create a treatment plan based on your specific needs.
Treatment may include:
- Medications to help your heart work more effectively
- Medical devices that support normal heart rhythm and function
- Regular physical activity
- Lowering salt intake
- Limiting alcohol
- Quitting smoking
- Maintaining a healthy weight
In some cases, surgery or advanced procedures may be recommended, including:
- Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG)
- Heart valve repair or replacement
- Ventricular assist devices (VADs)
- Heart transplantation
Device to Improve Heart Function and Increase Blood Circulation
A ventricular assist device (VAD) is a mechanical pump that helps the heart move blood throughout the body. Some VADs can be connected through blood vessels without being permanently implanted in the body. These are called percutaneous ventricular assist devices (PVADs).
PVADs are often used for people with severe or sudden heart failure who need temporary support while recovering or waiting for a longer-term treatment option. They can help improve blood flow and reduce the workload on the heart.
An LVAD is a small mechanical pump that is surgically placed inside the chest. It helps a weakened heart pump blood to the rest of the body.
An LVAD does not replace the heart. Instead, it helps the heart do its job more effectively, which can improve blood flow, reduce symptoms, and help patients become more active.
The LVAD is connected to a controller and batteries worn outside the body. These external components help power and monitor the device.
How an LVAD May Be Used
- Bridge to Transplant — Provides support while a patient waits for a heart transplant.
- Bridge to Recovery — Supports the heart while it heals. In some cases, the device can be removed if heart function improves.
- Destination Therapy — Provides long-term support for patients who are not candidates for a heart transplant. The goal is to improve symptoms, support heart function, and enhance quality of life.
A heart transplant is a surgery that replaces a severely damaged heart with a healthy donor heart. This treatment may be recommended for people with advanced heart failure when other treatments are no longer effective.
The transplant process includes:
- A complete medical evaluation
- Placement on a transplant waiting list if approved
- Heart transplant surgery
- Ongoing care and recovery after surgery
The heart transplant team works closely with specialists from many areas of medicine to provide the care and support patients need throughout the process.
Research plays an important role in improving heart failure care. At Saint Alphonsus, we participate in cardiovascular research and clinical trials to help advance treatment options and improve patient outcomes. Patients may have opportunities to participate in clinical studies that help shape the future of heart care
For additional information about current Cardiovascular clinical trials click here.
Learning about heart failure can help you better manage your condition and make informed decisions about your care. Your healthcare team can connect you with educational resources, support tools, and information about treatment options to help you live well with heart failure.