Lao Wang is short of breath and has a cold that never gets better. The doctor said it was caused by heart failure. What symptoms indicate that it may be heart failure?

There are currently 13.7 million heart failure patients in my country. How can we prevent heart failure from becoming a annoying disease?

A week ago, 66-year-old Mr. Wang caught a cold. He would become breathless when he moved a little. He would have to rest in the middle of the stairs when he climbed a flight. He would sometimes wake up at night and feel better when he sat up. Gradually, his breathlessness became more and more severe. He would become breathless when he moved, and his feet became swollen. He went to see a doctor. After listening to his description, the doctor said that his high blood pressure could reach up to 190/95mmHg, but he didn't like to take medicine. He would take a tablet of nitrendipine when he occasionally felt dizzy, and would not take medicine when he had no symptoms. After examination, the doctor diagnosed Mr. Wang with "heart failure."

1. What is heart failure?

Heart failure is a complex clinical syndrome caused by abnormal changes in cardiac structure and/or function due to various reasons, resulting in disorders of ventricular systolic and/or diastolic function. It is a serious manifestation or late stage of various heart diseases.

The high-risk population for heart failure is mainly elderly people with underlying heart diseases, such as coronary heart disease, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, cor pulmonale, etc. It can also be seen in people with other underlying diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, etc. The progression of these underlying diseases can lead to increased cardiac load, thus causing heart failure.

2. Can heart failure be prevented and treated?

Heart failure can be prevented and treated. Not only does it have a high disability and mortality rate, but its prevalence is also increasing as the population ages.

1. The first aspect is to treat the causes and triggers of heart failure.

For example, if you have high blood pressure, you need to strictly control your blood pressure. Infection and arrhythmia can induce heart failure, and active treatment can also improve heart failure.

The root cause of Mr. Wang's heart failure is high blood pressure. He has had high blood pressure for more than 10 years, but he has not taken medicine to control it. The doctor performed an ultrasound cardiogram on him and found that his heart was very large and the thickness of the ventricular wall was significantly increased.

Modifiable risk factors for heart failure include blood pressure, blood sugar and lifestyle. Controlling blood sugar and blood pressure, quitting smoking, quitting alcohol, controlling weight, and not sitting for long periods of time and eating a low-fat, low-sugar, and low-salt diet can prevent the occurrence and development of heart failure. These play an important role in the occurrence and development of heart failure. Taking some measures to target these factors will effectively prevent heart failure, control the condition and delay disease progression.

2. Treat heart failure itself.

There are many drugs that can improve the long-term prognosis of patients with heart failure, that is, they can prolong the survival time of patients with heart failure. These drugs should be taken for a long time and the appropriate dosage should be adjusted under the guidance of a doctor.

Taking diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARB), statins, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, etc. under the guidance of a doctor to control blood pressure or blood sugar can also help prevent the occurrence and development of heart failure.

3. Self-management of patients with heart failure.

1) Patients with heart failure should strictly manage their water and salt intake in daily life.

Monitor your weight regularly and take it seriously if you gain more than 1-2 kg in a week.

2) If any symptoms indicating worsening of the condition occur, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, sweating, waking up at night, worsening cough, foamy sputum, tiredness, drowsiness, lower limb edema, etc., seek medical attention promptly.

3) Patients with heart failure should also exercise appropriately and eat a light and nutritious diet.

4) Maintain a balanced mentality. It is recommended to control your emotions and avoid anxiety, depression, tension and over-excitement.

In short, for patients with heart failure, they must follow the doctor's advice on medication. For the vast majority of patients, early and active treatment can give them a good prognosis. It requires firm confidence and patience.