Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart does not pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. This can occur when the heart muscle is weakened or damaged, which can result from a variety of cardiac or non-cardiac conditions.

 

Causes:
Coronary heart disease: Coronary heart disease, such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the coronary arteries), is one of the main causes of heart failure. They can lead to a lack of oxygen and nutrients for the heart muscle.

Hypertension: chronically high blood pressure can overload the heart and lead to heart failure.

Cardiomyopathy: This condition is characterized by an alteration in the structure and function of the heart muscle.

Heart valve diseases: Disorders of the heart valves, such as narrowing or insufficiency, can overload the heart.

Myocardial infarction (heart attack): A myocardial infarction can damage part of the heart muscle, weakening its ability to pump efficiently.

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Symptoms:
Symptoms of heart failure may include:
Shortness of breath on exertion or at rest
Excessive fatigue
Swelling of the legs, ankles or abdomen
Sudden weight gain due to fluid retention
Irregular or rapid heartbeat
Persistent cough, sometimes with pink, frothy sputum

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Diagnosis:
Diagnosis of heart failure is usually based on a combination of medical history, physical examination and complementary tests, such as :
Echocardiography: To assess the size and function of the heart.
Blood test: To measure levels of certain substances in the blood, such as cardiac enzymes and hormones.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): To evaluate the heart's electrical activity.
Stress echocardiography: to assess the heart's adaptation to exercise.
Cardiac MRI: to evaluate cardiac dimensions and search for a cause

 

Treatment:
Treatment of heart failure aims to improve symptoms, slow disease progression and reduce the risk of complications. Treatment options may include:
Medications: Such as diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta-blockers and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB-II), anti-aldasterone , dapa or empa gliflozines. 
Lifestyle changes: such as adopting a low-salt diet, weight management, regular exercise and smoking cessation.
Surgery or medical devices: In some severe cases, surgery, such as pacemaker or implantable defibrillator placement, or heart transplantation, may be required.
In short, heart failure is a chronic disease requiring careful medical management and lifestyle adjustments to improve quality of life and prevent complications.