Heart failure means that the heart is unable to pump blood around the body properly. It usually happens because the heart has become too weak or stiff.
It's sometimes called congestive heart failure, although this name is not widely used now.
Heart failure does not mean your heart has stopped working. It means it needs some support to help it work better.
It can occur at any age, but is most common in older people.
Heart failure is along-term condition that tends to get gradually worse over time.
It cannot usually be cured, but the symptoms can often be controlled for many years.
Symptomsof heart failure
The main symptoms of heart failure are:
- breathlessnessafter activity or at rest
- feeling tired most of the time and finding exercise exhausting
- feeling lightheaded or fainting
- swollen ankles and legs
Some people also experience other symptoms, such as a persistent cough, a fast heart rate and dizziness.
Symptoms can develop quickly (acute heart failure) or gradually over weeks or months(chronic heart failure).
Whento get medical advice
See a GP if you experience persistent or gradually worsening symptoms of heart failure.
Call 999 for an ambulance or go toyour nearest A&E department as soon as possible if you have sudden or very severe symptoms.
A number of tests can be used to help check how well your heart is working,including blood tests, anECG and an echocardiogram.
Causesof heart failure
Heart failure is often the result of a number ofproblems affecting the heart at the same time.
Conditions that can lead toheart failureinclude:
- coronary heart disease – where the arteries that supply blood to the heart become clogged upwith fatty substances (atherosclerosis), which may cause angina or a heart attack
- high blood pressure – this can put extra strain on the heart, which over time can lead to heart failure
- conditions affectingthe heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)
- heart rhythm problems(arrhythmias), such asatrial fibrillation
- damage or other problems with the heart valves
- congenital heart disease–birth defects that affect the normal workings of the heart
Sometimes obesity, anaemia, drinking too much alcohol, an overactive thyroid or high pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension) can also lead to heart failure.
Treatmentsfor heart failure
Treatment for heart failure usually aims to control the symptoms for as long as possible and slow down the progression of the condition.
How you're treated will depend on what is causing your heart failure.
Common treatments include:
- lifestyle changes– including eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and stopping smoking
- medicine– a range of medicines can help; many people need to take 2 or 3 different types
- devices implanted in your chest– these can help control your heart rhythm
- surgery– such as abypass operation or aheart transplant
Treatment will usually be needed for life.
A cure may be possible when heart failure has atreatable cause. For example, if your heart valves are damaged, replacing or repairingthem maycure the condition.
Outlookfor heart failure
Heart failure is a serious long-term condition that will usually continue to get slowly worse over time.
It can severely limit the activities you're able to do and is often eventually fatal.
Butit'svery difficulttotell how the condition will progress on an individual basis.
It's very unpredictable. Lots ofpeopleremainstable for many years, whilein some cases itmay getworse quickly.
Information:
Social care and support guide
If you:
- need help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability
- care for someone regularly because they're ill or disabled or because of their age (including family members)
our guide to care and support explains your options and where you can get support.
Page last reviewed: 19 May 2022
Next review due: 19 May 2025
