Understanding Heart Failure
Nearly One Million Cases of Heart Failure are Diagnosed Annually1
Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart can’t pump blood efficiently enough to meet the body's needs. Ejection fraction (EF), which is the measurement of how efficiently the heart is pumping blood out to the body, is key in determining heart failure.
Conditions That Can Cause Heart Failure
Heart failure can result from a variety of underlying conditions that weaken or damage the heart muscle. These include coronary artery disease (CAD), heart attack, high blood pressure (hypertension), cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease and congenital heart defects.
Know the Signs and Symptoms of Heart Failure
- Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity or when lying flat
- Fatigue and weakness
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, feet or abdomen (edema)
- Persistent coughing or wheezing
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Reduced ability to exercise
- Sudden weight gain or weight loss
Explore a Range of Treatment Options
References
- Heart Failure Society of America. (n.d.). Heart failure facts and information. Heart Failure Society of America. Retrieved January 6, 2025, from https://hfsa.org/patient-hub/heart-failure-facts-information#:~:text=Current%20estimates%20are%20that%20nearly,is%20also%20a%20major%20killer
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Coronary artery disease (CAD): Symptoms and causes. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/coronary-artery-disease.html#cdc_disease_basics_treatment-treatment-and-recovery
- Wollmuth, J., et al. (2022). Cardiac interventions for heart disease. Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, 1(5), 100350–100350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jscai.2022.100350
- O’Neill, E., et al. (2022). Cardiovascular health and interventions. American Heart Journal, 248, 139–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2022.02.006
As with any medical treatment, individual results may vary. Only a physician can determine whether Impella is an option for High-Risk PCI and would be an appropriate course of treatment. There are potential risks including acute renal dysfunction, aortic valve injury, bleeding, cardiogenic shock, cerebral vascular accident/stroke, death, hemolysis, limb ischemia, myocardial infarction, renal failure, thrombocytopenia and cardiac or vascular injury (including ventricular perforation). These risks need to be discussed with your doctor and recovery takes time. The success of this procedure depends on many factors, including your physical condition and your body’s ability to tolerate the procedure. Use care in the selection of your doctors and hospital, based on their skill and experience.
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