Is acute heart failure dangerous?

Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
Updated on September 20, 2024
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Acute heart failure is very dangerous in clinical practice. It is mainly caused by a sudden decrease in cardiac output, leading to insufficient perfusion in tissues and organs and acute blood stasis syndrome. The main clinical symptoms include severe respiratory distress, often accompanied by restlessness, profuse sweating, frequent coughing with pink frothy sputum, and in severe cases, sudden cardiac and respiratory arrest can occur. After the occurrence of acute heart failure, effective measures should be taken to alleviate symptoms such as respiratory distress. The most effective methods in clinical practice include strengthening the heart, promoting diuresis, and dilating blood vessels.

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Written by Wei Shi Liang
Intensive Care Unit
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Why does heart failure cause edema?

Edema caused by heart failure is mainly due to heart dysfunction, resulting in systemic circulation, venous congestion, and excessive fluid accumulation in the body's tissue spaces. The primary cause is right heart failure or total heart failure, and some special cases of pericarditis. The edema caused by this type of heart failure is often symmetrical, indenting, and sagging, and usually worsens with activity and lessens with rest. The common locations for fluid accumulation are in the sacral and perineal areas, while bedridden patients often show it in the ankle area. In severe cases, patients may experience generalized edema, and even develop ascites and pleural effusion. This condition is known as heart failure, and the type of edema it causes is called cardiogenic edema.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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Triggers of acute heart failure

The triggers of acute heart failure include the following aspects: Respiratory infections are the most common and important trigger, and infective endocarditis is also not uncommon. However, due to its concealed onset, it is easily underdiagnosed. The second is arrhythmia, among which atrial fibrillation is one of the most common arrhythmias in organic heart disease and is also an important factor leading to heart failure. Additionally, rapid arrhythmias can also cause acute heart failure. The third is an increase in blood volume, such as excessive salt intake or excessive or rapid intravenous fluid administration. The fourth is excessive physical exertion or emotional excitement, such as during late pregnancy or childbirth. The fifth aspect is improper treatment, inappropriate use of diuretics or antihypertensive drugs, which can also trigger an episode of acute heart failure. Furthermore, whether it is an exacerbation of existing heart disease or complications with other diseases, such as coronary heart disease with myocardial infarction, rheumatic disease becoming active, or complications with hyperthyroidism or anemia, can all cause acute heart failure.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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Is the heart rate fast or slow in heart failure?

Heart failure is also relatively common in clinical practice, primarily due to dysfunction in the heart's contractile or relaxation capabilities. This leads to ineffective expulsion of venous blood returning to the heart, resulting in venous congestion and a series of symptoms. Patients typically experience varying degrees of breathing difficulty, coughing, expectoration, coughing up pink frothy sputum, as well as gastrointestinal symptoms. Following the onset of heart failure, a patient's heart rate generally increases as a compensatory response to promote increased cardiac output. If a patient enters the terminal stage of heart failure, a decrease in heart rate may occur, and can even lead to death.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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Why does heart failure cause ascites?

Heart failure is relatively common in clinical settings, primarily divided into left heart failure, right heart failure, and global heart failure. The clinical manifestations of left heart failure are mainly reflected in symptoms of pulmonary congestion. It can present as varying degrees of dyspnea, cough, expectoration, palpitations, and fatigue. Right heart failure is mainly due to obstruction of the inferior vena cava flow, leading to increased venous pressure and capillary pressure. This causes plasma components to extravasate and ultimately leads to the formation of ascites. Global heart failure includes the symptoms of both left and right heart failure. Therefore, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly after heart failure occurs.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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Can people with heart failure eat fish?

Patients with heart failure can eat fish, as fish contains a large amount of high-quality protein, vitamin B, trace elements, and minerals. Consuming fish can increase the high-quality protein the body needs, enhance the body's immunity and disease resistance. Especially for patients with heart failure, who suffer from chronic myocardial ischemia, need nutritional support. When preparing fish, it should not be made too salty, as patients with heart failure should follow a low-salt diet. If the fish is too salty, consuming it in excess could exacerbate heart failure. Preparing fish in a lighter way, such as making fish soup, can not only supplement the body's high-quality protein but also be easier to digest.