Heart failure is a progressive condition that happens when your heart has become too weak or stiff. This means it can't pump blood as well as it should, causing fluids to build up in other parts of your body, like your lungs, hands and feet. This may result in symptoms like shortness of breath, swelling, chest pain, fatigue, and sudden weight gain.

You may not notice these symptoms right away, but heart failure tends to get worse over time. The good news is early treatment may help relieve symptoms and stop or delay the condition from getting worse. Our heart failure program can help you understand what to look for in the future, so your symptoms don’t stop you from doing the things you love.

Watch this quick video to learn more about the symptoms of heart failure. 

Your doctor may diagnose heart failure based on your symptoms and a physical exam. But you will need tests, such as an echocardiogram, to find the cause and type of heart failure so that you can get the right treatment.

Your doctor will talk to you about the type of heart failure you may have and what stage you are in. No matter where you are in your heart failure diagnosis, finding out you have heart failure can be stressful. Knowing more about what it is, what to expect, and how to care for yourself or your loved one can help.

Watch this quick video from the American Heart Association (AHA) to see how heart failure is diagnosed 

There are four stages of Heart Failure, established by the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology, A, B, C, and D. Stage A is when you have a high risk of developing Heart Failure (the least serious). Stage D is the most serious. When a patient reaches Stage D, it's considered advanced Heart Failure.

In addition, there are two kinds of heart failure. If the left ventricle (lower left chamber of the heart) is not pushing blood out with enough force, it is called systolic heart failure — or heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (EF). If the chambers are stiff and do not relax and fill properly, it is called diastolic heart failure — or heart failure with preserved EF. Ejection fraction is the measurement of blood that is pumped out of your heart with each heartbeat.

Everyone is different. Your treatment plan will depend on factors like the stage of heart failure you are in. If you’re at high risk of developing heart failure, you can take preventive steps to reduce your risk.

Heart failure is usually treated with medicines, a heart-healthy lifestyle, and the steps you take to check your symptoms. Treatment may also include a heart device, such as a pacemaker. Treatment can slow the disease, help you feel better, and help keep you out of the hospital and may help you live longer. Take your medicines as prescribed, maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle, watch your symptoms, and work closely with your doctor.

Your treatment plan will likely include:

• Lifestyle changes (like nutrition and exercise)
• Medicines like beta blockers or ACE inhibitors
  • Download this helpful medication tracker from the AHA
• Devices and surgical procedures
• Ongoing care
  • Physical changes to report
  • Your health care team
  • Help for caregivers

Regardless of your treatment approach, you should follow your heart failure team’s recommendations and make the necessary changes in your eating, exercise and lifestyle to give you the highest possible quality of life.

It may be hard to hear, but now might be a good time to think about the kind of support you want now and at the end of your life. This is called “advance care planning”. You and your doctor can decide together what treatments will offer more benefits than risks in your plan to care for yourself from now on.