{"id":12678,"date":"2026-09-14T08:15:32","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T05:15:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/?p=12678"},"modified":"2026-09-12T17:06:50","modified_gmt":"2026-09-12T14:06:50","slug":"what-is-heart-failure-symptoms-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-heart-failure-symptoms-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"What is heart failure? Symptoms, causes, and treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Estimated reading time: 11 minutes 28 seconds<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-heart-failure-symptoms-treatment\/#What_you_need_to_know_clinically_about_heart_failure\" >What you need to know clinically about heart failure<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-heart-failure-symptoms-treatment\/#How_does_heart_failure_affect_the_way_the_heart_works\" >How does heart failure affect the way the heart works?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-heart-failure-symptoms-treatment\/#What_are_the_symptoms_of_heart_failure_When_should_you_see_a_doctor\" >What are the symptoms of heart failure? When should you see a doctor?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-heart-failure-symptoms-treatment\/#What_causes_heart_failure_Who_is_at_risk\" >What causes heart failure? Who is at risk?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-heart-failure-symptoms-treatment\/#How_are_the_types_and_stages_of_heart_failure_classified\" >How are the types and stages of heart failure classified?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-heart-failure-symptoms-treatment\/#How_is_heart_failure_diagnosed\" >How is heart failure diagnosed?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-heart-failure-symptoms-treatment\/#How_is_heart_failure_treated\" >How is heart failure treated?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-heart-failure-symptoms-treatment\/#What_should_people_with_heart_failure_pay_attention_to_in_daily_life\" >What should people with heart failure pay attention to in daily life?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-heart-failure-symptoms-treatment\/#Warnings_and_recommendations_from_Aktif_International_Hospital_cardiologists\" >Warnings and recommendations from Aktif International Hospital cardiologists<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_you_need_to_know_clinically_about_heart_failure\"><\/span>What you need to know clinically about heart failure<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When the term heart failure comes up in relation to our own health or that of someone close to us, it can understandably cause concern or even panic. Although the word \u201cfailure\u201d itself carries serious negative connotations, heart failure does not mean that your heart has stopped or completely failed. Rather, it means that the heart is no longer able to pump the blood your body needs as strongly as it once did or is not functioning as efficiently as it should.<\/p>\n<p>When symptoms such as shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, and easy fatigue begin to interfere with daily life, there is often a tendency to associate them with the heart. However, the heart is not always the sole cause of this fatigue. During a professional clinical evaluation, your medical history, including conditions such as high blood pressure or a previous heart attack, is reviewed in detail, and reliable tests such as an ECG and echocardiography are used to establish the diagnosis.<\/p>\n<p>Current treatment approaches focus on identifying the condition before significant symptoms develop and preventing its progression. Following this general introduction, the rest of this article will explain what heart failure changes in your heart, how to cope with its exhausting symptoms, and which treatment steps may help improve your quality of life again.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_does_heart_failure_affect_the_way_the_heart_works\"><\/span>How does heart failure affect the way the heart works?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Understanding how heart failure affects the body is one of the important steps that can make it easier to adapt to the treatment process. Contrary to common belief, the main problem is not always that the heart pumps blood weakly. Sometimes the heart muscle contracts strongly enough but cannot fully relax because it has lost its flexibility. When the chambers of the heart cannot fill with enough blood, the amount of blood pumped to the body naturally becomes insufficient to meet its needs. For this reason, heart failure may develop even in people whose pumping function appears completely normal.<\/p>\n<p>When the heart can no longer work as efficiently as it once did, the body develops protective compensatory mechanisms to make up for this loss. The heart rate increases, blood vessels constrict, and the kidneys begin to retain more water and salt. Although these emergency responses may initially help maintain circulation, over time they unfortunately increase the workload on an already strained heart.<\/p>\n<p>When the heart cannot pump blood forward effectively, pressure begins to build up behind it. These pressure changes produce the familiar symptoms that can make everyday life more difficult:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Fluid buildup in the lungs:<\/strong> This is one of the main reasons for shortness of breath while lying flat at night or during physical exertion.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fluid retention in the tissues:<\/strong> Difficulty returning blood to the heart may become noticeable as swelling, particularly in the ankles and legs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Insufficient blood flow:<\/strong> When the muscles and organs do not receive enough oxygen, severe fatigue and reduced exercise capacity may occur even during simple daily activities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This complex picture shows us that heart failure is not simply a one-dimensional loss of pumping strength. Professional treatment planning requires evaluating not only the heart\u2019s ability to contract but also its flexibility, changes in vascular pressure, and all the signals given by your body as a whole.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_symptoms_of_heart_failure_When_should_you_see_a_doctor\"><\/span>What are the symptoms of heart failure? When should you see a doctor?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Heart failure symptoms do not occur with the same severity in every patient. Depending on the stage of the disease, they may develop gradually or appear suddenly. In clinical evaluations, some of the most common complaints we encounter are easy fatigue and swelling around the ankles.<\/p>\n<p>At first, shortness of breath may occur only during brisk walking or while climbing stairs, but as the condition progresses, it may begin to cause discomfort even at rest. Recognizing the symptoms correctly is the first step toward managing the condition appropriately. The main symptoms of heart failure that may reduce quality of life and should be monitored carefully include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Waking at night with a feeling of suffocation while lying flat or needing to use two pillows in order to breathe comfortably.<\/li>\n<li>Visible swelling in the feet, legs, or abdomen, as well as unexplained and sudden weight gain over several days due to fluid retention.<\/li>\n<li>Becoming tired and weak much earlier than before, even during daily activities that were previously performed without difficulty.<\/li>\n<li>Persistent coughing, wheezing, and episodes of palpitations that make you feel as though your heart is beating very rapidly.<\/li>\n<li>Loss of appetite, feeling full quickly, or digestive problems caused by abdominal swelling, which are also behind the frequently asked question, \u201cCan heart failure cause nausea?\u201d<\/li>\n<li>In advanced stages, difficulty concentrating or confusion caused by reduced blood flow to the organs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Reading this list may cause concern, but an important medical fact should not be overlooked. None of these symptoms is specific to heart failure on its own. For example, shortness of breath may also result from lung disease, anemia, or other cardiovascular conditions. Therefore, the diagnosis should not be based on a single complaint but should be clarified by assessing when the symptoms began, how they have changed over time, and the findings of a detailed physical examination.<\/p>\n<p>If activities that you previously performed comfortably are becoming increasingly difficult or you notice sudden increases in your weight, consulting your doctor without delay is critically important in order to bring the condition under control at the earliest possible stage.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_causes_heart_failure_Who_is_at_risk\"><\/span>What causes heart failure? Who is at risk?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Heart failure is generally not a condition that develops overnight. In many cases, it is the result of a heavy workload that the heart has silently carried for years or damage it has previously sustained. Another health problem that places strain on the heart may gradually weaken the muscle\u2019s pumping ability or cause it to lose its flexibility.<\/p>\n<p>Some of the main conditions that strain the heart and may contribute to the development of heart failure include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Previous heart attacks:<\/strong> When the vessels supplying the heart become blocked and the tissue is deprived of oxygen, the damaged area may permanently lose some of its strength, reducing the overall performance of the heart.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Uncontrolled high blood pressure:<\/strong> When the heart has to pump blood against persistently high pressure in the vessels, the heart muscle may thicken much like a muscle lifting heavy weights and gradually lose its natural flexibility.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Valve problems and infections:<\/strong> Narrowing or leakage of the heart valves may disrupt blood flow, while even viral infections that may initially appear minor can sometimes cause inflammation of the heart muscle and place additional strain on the heart.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It is not only age that matters. Certain chronic conditions and lifestyle-related factors can also accelerate this process. When assessing the risk of heart failure, particular attention should be paid to the following factors:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>High blood sugar can gradually damage blood vessels and cause microscopic damage to heart tissue.<\/li>\n<li>Pauses in breathing during sleep may cause sudden drops in blood oxygen levels and place significant stress on the heart. In sleep apnea, instead of resting during the night, the heart may have to work harder.<\/li>\n<li>People with a family history of heart disease at an early age may need to begin cardiovascular monitoring at a younger age.<\/li>\n<li>Certain chemotherapy medications taken years earlier or radiotherapy applied to the chest area may affect heart function much later in life.<\/li>\n<li>In addition to advanced age, excessive salt consumption, physical inactivity, and the kidneys\u2019 inability to remove excess fluid are among the factors that can increase the workload on the heart.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Having one or more of these risk factors does not necessarily mean that you will develop heart failure. The aim is not to cause concern but to recognize risks early and protect the heart by keeping blood pressure, blood sugar, and body weight under control.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_are_the_types_and_stages_of_heart_failure_classified\"><\/span>How are the types and stages of heart failure classified?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Words such as \u201cstage\u201d or \u201ctype\u201d can understandably worry patients. However, these classifications are actually used to create the most appropriate treatment plan for each individual. Heart failure does not progress in the same way for everyone, and according to the underlying mechanism, there are two main types of heart failure:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Contraction (pumping) problem:<\/strong> The heart muscle becomes weak. Even when the heart fills with blood, it does not have enough strength to pump that blood effectively throughout the body.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Relaxation (flexibility) problem:<\/strong> Pumping strength may remain completely normal, but because the heart muscle becomes stiff, it cannot relax and fill with enough blood.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The course of heart failure is commonly managed by dividing it into four main stages:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>At-risk stage (Stage A):<\/strong> There is no structural heart damage, but preventive measures are taken because of risk factors such as high blood pressure or diabetes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pre-heart failure stage (Stage B):<\/strong> Structural changes have developed in the heart, but you do not yet experience symptoms during everyday life.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Symptomatic stage (Stage C):<\/strong> This is the stage in which symptoms such as shortness of breath occur due to fluid buildup in the lungs and swelling, and it is when many patients seek medical care.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Advanced stage (Stage D):<\/strong> Symptoms persist even at rest, and additional treatments such as cardiac devices or surgical support may be required alongside medication.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>With appropriate medication, salt restriction, and regular follow-up, it may be possible to slow or prevent progression to a more advanced stage. When the workload on the heart is reduced, patients may experience significant improvement in their symptoms and quality of life.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_is_heart_failure_diagnosed\"><\/span>How is heart failure diagnosed?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>When you seek medical attention because of shortness of breath or fatigue, one of the first questions that may come to mind is, \u201cCould there be a serious problem with my heart?\u201d However, no single symptom is enough to establish a definite diagnosis. During clinical evaluation, the aim is to listen carefully to your symptoms and then bring all the pieces of the puzzle together to assess how well your heart is actually functioning. The following methods may be used to clarify the condition of your heart:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Echocardiography (ECHO \u2013 heart ultrasound):<\/strong> Sound waves are used to display the heart\u2019s pumping function, the size of its chambers, and the condition of its valves on a screen in a painless examination.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Blood tests:<\/strong> When the heart is under strain, levels of certain proteins such as BNP may rise in the blood. Measuring these levels can help assess whether shortness of breath may be related to the heart rather than another cause.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Electrocardiography (ECG):<\/strong> This test records the electrical activity of the heart and can identify rhythm disturbances or signs of previous heart attacks that may have occurred without being noticed.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chest X-ray:<\/strong> This can help determine whether symptoms such as shortness of breath may be associated with enlargement of the heart or fluid accumulation in the lungs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When necessary, additional examinations such as an exercise stress test or coronary angiography may also be performed. These tests should not be viewed simply as tools for detecting bad news. Instead, they provide a roadmap showing how your heart may best be supported with appropriate medication and lifestyle measures.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_is_heart_failure_treated\"><\/span>How is heart failure treated?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>After diagnosis, one of the questions we most frequently hear from patients who are facing heart failure for the first time is, \u201cCan heart failure go away completely?\u201d Because heart failure is generally a chronic condition, completely eliminating the disease is not always possible. However, with appropriate treatment, it is certainly possible to reduce the workload on the heart, control symptoms, and help patients maintain a more active life.<\/p>\n<p>The foundation of treatment consists of medications that protect the heart and help restore the body\u2019s fluid balance. A professional treatment plan may include combinations of medications that widen blood vessels and reduce resistance against which the heart must pump, control the heart rate, and help the kidneys remove excess fluid to reduce swelling. When the prescribed treatment plan is followed consistently, symptoms such as severe shortness of breath and persistent fatigue may improve significantly.<\/p>\n<p>When medication alone is not sufficient, supportive medical procedures may be considered. Specialized cardiac devices implanted under the skin may be used to improve coordination between heart contractions and reduce the risk of dangerous rhythm disturbances. If the underlying cause of heart failure is narrowing or leakage of a heart valve, the affected valve may be repaired or treated through catheter-based procedures similar to angiography or through surgery, helping improve the mechanical function of the heart.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_should_people_with_heart_failure_pay_attention_to_in_daily_life\"><\/span>What should people with heart failure pay attention to in daily life?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A diagnosis of heart failure does not mean that life needs to become completely inactive. On the contrary, it requires establishing a new and healthy balance that does not place unnecessary strain on the heart. The success of treatment depends not only on prescribed medications but also on how well the clinical treatment plan is supported by everyday habits at home. Conscious changes in nutrition, fluid intake, and physical activity can play a direct role in slowing the progression of the condition.<\/p>\n<p>The following basic principles are particularly important for improving quality of life and reducing the workload on the heart:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Excess salt causes the body to retain water and increases the pumping workload of the heart. Avoid adding extra salt to meals and limit processed and packaged foods that contain hidden sodium.<\/li>\n<li>Because excessive fluid intake may increase the risk of fluid accumulation in the lungs, total daily fluid intake may sometimes be restricted to approximately 1.5\u20132 liters, depending on the individual treatment plan.<\/li>\n<li>One of the most useful ways to monitor fluid retention is to weigh yourself every morning, after using the bathroom and before eating, under similar conditions and preferably wearing similar clothing. Sudden and unexplained weight gain within one or two days may be considered an important clinical warning sign.<\/li>\n<li>Physical inactivity may contribute to further loss of cardiovascular and muscle fitness. Light exercise may be recommended, while strenuous activities that place excessive stress on the heart or cause significant shortness of breath should be avoided.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The main purpose of these lifestyle changes is to maximize the effectiveness of medical treatment and reduce the risk of acute problems that could require hospitalization.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Warnings_and_recommendations_from_Aktif_International_Hospital_cardiologists\"><\/span>Warnings and recommendations from Aktif International Hospital cardiologists<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In addition to basic nutrition and physical activity recommendations, there are three important points that we particularly want our patients to keep in mind in clinical practice:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Be careful with seemingly harmless painkillers: Some over-the-counter medications used for muscle and joint pain can cause fluid retention and may suddenly worsen heart failure. Do not use painkillers or so-called \u201cnatural\u201d herbal supplements without consulting your doctor.<\/li>\n<li>Do not neglect vaccinations: An infection such as influenza, which may seem relatively simple, can significantly increase the workload on your heart. Staying up to date with recommended influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations can be particularly important for protection against infections.<\/li>\n<li>Stress can place physical strain on the heart: Persistent anxiety and stress can trigger hormones that increase heart rate and cardiovascular workload. Protecting your psychological well-being and seeking professional support when necessary can therefore form an important part of overall heart failure care.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As long as regular medical follow-ups are maintained and the treatment plan is followed appropriately, it is possible for many people with heart failure to continue leading an active life with a good quality of life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Estimated reading time: 11 minutes 28 seconds What you need to know clinically about heart failure When the term heart failure comes up in relation to our own health or that of someone close to us, it can understandably cause concern or even panic. Although the word \u201cfailure\u201d itself carries serious negative connotations, heart failure [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":12679,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12678","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12678","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12678"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12678\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12680,"href":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12678\/revisions\/12680"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12678"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12678"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12678"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}