Heart failure, also known as cardiac insufficiency, is a chronic heart disease. Here the heart can no longer pump enough blood through the body. As a result, organs and tissues no longer receive enough nutrients and oxygen, leading to various health problems. Affected people often complain about breathlessness, weakness or fatigue. Another indication, known as oedema, is fluid retention in the lungs, legs or abdomen.
Many different factors can cause heart failure. In addition to years of high blood pressure, various heart diseases or a previous heart attack, these include genetic factors, congenital heart defects or an unfavourable lifestyle (smoking, overweight, lack of exercise).
Treatment of heart failure is important in any case to prevent a change for the worse. This involves identifying and treating the cause of the heart failure (e.g. adjusting blood pressure, operating on defective heart valves, etc.). A healthy lifestyle also goes a long way to alleviate the symptoms.
More information on heart failure is available on the website gesundheit.gv.at