Heart failure is a long-term condition that happens when the heart becomes too weak or stiff to pump blood properly throughout the body. It doesn’t mean the heart has completely stopped, but it needs some help to work better. Over time, heart failure gradually gets worse and can’t usually be cured.
However, by recognising and managing the symptoms of heart failure, you can greatly improve your quality of life.
Main Symptoms of Heart Failure
These are the main symptoms of heart failure:
- Difficulty breathing or becoming breathless
- Feeling excessively tired and lacking energy most of the time
- Feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or experiencing fainting episodes
- Oedema: Swelling in the ankles, legs, abdomen, or other areas due to fluid retention
If you’re experiencing persistent or worsening symptoms, speak to your GP immediately.
If you have sudden or severe symptoms, it’s crucial that you call 999 for an ambulance or get to your nearest A&E department as soon as possible.
Causes of Heart Failure
Heart failure usually happens when the heart is affected by multiple problems at the same time, these include:
- Coronary artery disease: Narrowing or blockage of the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle, which can also cause angina or a heart attack
- High blood pressure (hypertension): Prolonged elevation in blood pressure that strains the heart
- Cardiomyopathy: Weakening or thickening of the heart muscle, often with unknown causes
- Arrhythmias: Abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation
- Heart valve problems: Malfunctioning or diseased heart valves that disrupt the flow of blood
For more information on the symptoms of heart failure, please visit the NHS website.
Order Your Medication Online with Healthera
If you’ve been prescribed a medication like Entresto to help lessen your symptoms, you can place your prescription order online using the Healthera mobile app.
It only takes a couple of minutes to set up your order for collection or home delivery from your local pharmacy.
To get started, simply click the button below:
