Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverviewTypes of Heart AttacksRisk FactorsWhen to Seek HelpDiagnosisPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Overview
Types of Heart Attacks
Risk Factors
When to Seek Help
Diagnosis
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Heart failure often refers to early-stage weakening of the heart without congestion. As the damage to the heart progresses, it causes fluid to build up in the feet, arms, lungs, and other organs, which is referred to as congestion, throughout the body. This stage of heart failure is calledCHF.
This article will discuss different types of heart failure and the factors that put you at the greatest risk for developing the disease.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
Heart Failure vs. Congestive Heart Failure: What’s the Difference?
Heart failure affects people of all ages, from children and young adults to the middle-aged and older adults. About 6.2 million adults in the United States are currently living with heart failure, and over 64 million people are dealing with some form of heart failure worldwide.
Approximately 550,000 new cases are diagnosed in the United States each year, but many more remain undiagnosed as the initial symptoms of heart failure can be subtle and mimic similar symptoms seen in other conditions.
Congestive heart failure (CHF) refers to the inadequate functioning of the heart muscle such that fluid builds up in the lungs, abdomen, feet, and arms (hence the term “congestive”). The condition can either be acute (meaning it occurs suddenly, with a sharp rise) or chronic (which means it occurs over the long term).
Untreated heart disease can be aggressive and fatal. The five-year survival rate is about 50% for allstages. In 2018, heart failure led to nearly 400,000 deaths, according to death certificate data, with the highest prevalence of disease primarily in the South and Midwest.
How Long Can You Live with Congestive Heart Failure?
Signs of Heart Failure and Congestive Heart Failure
Most cases of heart failure and CHF are chronic and develop over time. Symptoms to watch for are:
Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVAD): What to Know
Causes of Heart Failure and Congestive Heart Failure
When the heart is weakened, it has difficulty pumping blood forward, so blood and fluid back up into the lungs.Fluid in the lungscan cause shortness of breath, a common symptom of congestive heart failure.
If the heart is having serious difficulty with pumping, then you might experienceedema—a buildup of blood fluid in the feet, ankles, and legs.
What Happens When You Have a Heart Block?
Types of Heart Failure
There are several anatomicaltypes of heart failurethat can lead to CHF. Both the right and left sides of the heart can fail, butleft-sided heart failureis much more common than right-sided heart failure.
Most of the heart’s pumping power comes from the left side. The left side of the heart receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it to the rest of the body. If the large and powerful chambers of the left ventricle and left atrium begin to fail, the left side of the heart has to work harder to pump blood.
Over time, blood can build up in the pulmonary veins, leading to shortness of breath and trouble breathing, especially during physical activity.If left untreated, the right side of the heart may begin to fail as well.
There are two types of left-sided heart failure: heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
Left- vs. Right-Sided Heart Failure: Know the Differences
Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction
Heart failure with reducedejection fraction(HFrEF), once calledsystolicheart failure, occurs when the left side of the heart loses its ability to contract and becomes unable to meet the body’s oxygen and nutrient needs over time.
Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
In heart failure withpreserved ejection fraction(HFpEF), formerly known asdiastolicheart failure, the left side of the heart retains its ability to pump but the stiffening of the heart muscle does not allow it to relax during beats.
Losing the ability to relax during beats means that the left ventricle chamber loses its capacity to adequately fill with blood, so when it pumps, less blood is pushed out.
All Parts of Heart Anatomy
Right-Sided Heart Failure
Right-sidedheart failure develops when the right side of the heart does not pump blood as well as it should, causing blood to back up into the venous system and limiting how much blood the heart can pump per minute. Right-sided heart failure is most commonly caused as asequelae(a condition that follows another) to left-sided heart failure and presents with more severe symptoms.
What to Know About GDMT Heart Failure Medication
Aheart attack, also known clinically asmyocardial infarction, is a form ofacute coronary syndrome(ACS). It occurs when a significant blockage in the coronary arteries restricts blood flow to the heart.
The main types of heart attacks include:
NSTEMI
AnNSTEMIoccurs when the obstruction doesn’t completely stop the blood flow. While some cells die, others survive.
Of note, an NSTEMI does not cause abnormal elevations of the ST segment of anelectrocardiogram (ECG). NSTEMIs are less severe than STEMIs because they inflict less damage to the heart.
STEMI
The ST segment of STEMI refers to the normally flat section of an ECG that is abnormally elevated during this cardiovascular event.
How Many People Survive a Heart Attack?
Could I Have a Heart Problem?
Risk Factors for Heart Failure and Congestive Heart Failure
Anyone can develop heart failure. Some factors, like your lifestyle, are modifiable, meaning you can make changes to reduce your risk. Others, like genetics, are unalterable, and you cannot change them. The following risk factors may increase your chance of developing heart failure:
Can Congestive Heart Failure Run in Families?
When to See a Healthcare Provider
How Heart Failure Is Diagnosed
The following tests and scans may be performed to help diagnose heart failure:
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Diets for Heart Health
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Heart failure and congestive heart failure (CHF) are chronic, progressive conditions that can mimic other conditions and can be life-threatening if left untreated.
If you have a family history of heart disease or other risk factors such as another health condition or unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as smoking, it’s important to meet regularly with a primary care provider, who can help you manage your risk of developing heart failure and CHF.
The four types of heart failure are left-sided heart failure, right-sided heart failure, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (also called systolic heart failure), and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (also called diastolic heart failure).
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic and progressive condition that cannot be cured. But CHF that is diagnosed in its early stages can be well managed with a combination of diet, exercise, and prescription medication.Studies have shown that aggressive medical care, such as employing several medications and potentially medical device therapy, coupled with lifestyle changes can significantly improve your well-being and survival with CHF.
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic and progressive condition that cannot be cured. But CHF that is diagnosed in its early stages can be well managed with a combination of diet, exercise, and prescription medication.
Studies have shown that aggressive medical care, such as employing several medications and potentially medical device therapy, coupled with lifestyle changes can significantly improve your well-being and survival with CHF.
CHF is chronic, progressive and uncurable, but it can be well managed for many years under the careful supervision of a cardiologist and a heart care team.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lippi G, Sanchis-Gomar F.Global epidemiology and future trends of heart failure.AME Med J. 2020;5:15-15. doi:10.21037/amj.2020.03.03Virani SS, Alonso A, Benjamin EJ, Bittencourt MS, Callaway CW, Carson AP, et al.Heart disease and stroke statistics—2020 update: a report from the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2020;141(9):e139-596. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000757Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heart failure.American Heart Association.Types of heart failure.Harjola VP, Mebazaa A, Čelutkienė J, et al.Contemporary management of acute right ventricular failure: A statement from the heart failure association and the working group on pulmonary circulation and right ventricular function of the European society of cardiology.Eur J Heart Fa. 2016;18(3):226-41. doi:10.1002/ejhf.478American Heart Association.What is a heart attack?NIH.Heart failure.Heidenreich P, Bozkurt B, Aguilar D, et al.2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA guideline for the management of heart failure.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022;79(17)e263–e421. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2021.12.012National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Heart failure.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lippi G, Sanchis-Gomar F.Global epidemiology and future trends of heart failure.AME Med J. 2020;5:15-15. doi:10.21037/amj.2020.03.03Virani SS, Alonso A, Benjamin EJ, Bittencourt MS, Callaway CW, Carson AP, et al.Heart disease and stroke statistics—2020 update: a report from the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2020;141(9):e139-596. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000757Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heart failure.American Heart Association.Types of heart failure.Harjola VP, Mebazaa A, Čelutkienė J, et al.Contemporary management of acute right ventricular failure: A statement from the heart failure association and the working group on pulmonary circulation and right ventricular function of the European society of cardiology.Eur J Heart Fa. 2016;18(3):226-41. doi:10.1002/ejhf.478American Heart Association.What is a heart attack?NIH.Heart failure.Heidenreich P, Bozkurt B, Aguilar D, et al.2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA guideline for the management of heart failure.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022;79(17)e263–e421. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2021.12.012National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Heart failure.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lippi G, Sanchis-Gomar F.Global epidemiology and future trends of heart failure.AME Med J. 2020;5:15-15. doi:10.21037/amj.2020.03.03Virani SS, Alonso A, Benjamin EJ, Bittencourt MS, Callaway CW, Carson AP, et al.Heart disease and stroke statistics—2020 update: a report from the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2020;141(9):e139-596. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000757Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heart failure.American Heart Association.Types of heart failure.Harjola VP, Mebazaa A, Čelutkienė J, et al.Contemporary management of acute right ventricular failure: A statement from the heart failure association and the working group on pulmonary circulation and right ventricular function of the European society of cardiology.Eur J Heart Fa. 2016;18(3):226-41. doi:10.1002/ejhf.478American Heart Association.What is a heart attack?NIH.Heart failure.Heidenreich P, Bozkurt B, Aguilar D, et al.2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA guideline for the management of heart failure.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022;79(17)e263–e421. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2021.12.012National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Heart failure.
Lippi G, Sanchis-Gomar F.Global epidemiology and future trends of heart failure.AME Med J. 2020;5:15-15. doi:10.21037/amj.2020.03.03
Virani SS, Alonso A, Benjamin EJ, Bittencourt MS, Callaway CW, Carson AP, et al.Heart disease and stroke statistics—2020 update: a report from the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2020;141(9):e139-596. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000757
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heart failure.
American Heart Association.Types of heart failure.
Harjola VP, Mebazaa A, Čelutkienė J, et al.Contemporary management of acute right ventricular failure: A statement from the heart failure association and the working group on pulmonary circulation and right ventricular function of the European society of cardiology.Eur J Heart Fa. 2016;18(3):226-41. doi:10.1002/ejhf.478
American Heart Association.What is a heart attack?
NIH.Heart failure.
Heidenreich P, Bozkurt B, Aguilar D, et al.2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA guideline for the management of heart failure.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022;79(17)e263–e421. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2021.12.012
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Heart failure.
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