Clinical manifestations of heart failure

Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
Updated on September 27, 2024
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Heart failure is divided into left heart failure, right heart failure, and total heart failure. Left heart failure mainly manifests as exertional dyspnea or nocturnal paroxysmal dyspnea. It is often accompanied by palpitations, orthopnea, coughing, coughing up pink frothy sputum, accompanied by palpitations, fatigue, etc. Right heart failure primarily presents with symptoms of the digestive system, such as abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting, edema, oliguria, etc. Once heart failure occurs, active treatment must be administered. In clinical practice, treatments mainly include cardiotonics, diuretics, vasodilators, and other symptomatic treatments.

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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 Wei Shi Liang
Intensive Care Unit
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Causes of Acute Heart Failure

The main causes of acute heart failure include coronary heart disease, valvular disease, hypertension, and cardiomyopathies, such as toxic cardiomyopathy or hypothyroidism-related cardiomyopathy, as well as idiopathic cardiomyopathy. Myocarditis and arrhythmia-related causes can also lead to heart failure, but there are often triggers present clinically. Common triggers include poor treatment compliance, arrhythmias, anemia, infections, myocardial ischemia, excessive fluid intake, poor dietary control, and increased cardiac output, such as during strenuous activity and pregnancy, which can lead to increased cardiac output and cause heart failure. Conditions such as excessive fluid volume, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, and pulmonary embolism can also trigger heart failure.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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Which department should I go to for heart failure?

Heart failure primarily includes left heart failure, right heart failure, and total heart failure. Patients should visit the cardiology outpatient clinic. Left heart failure mainly manifests as pulmonary congestion, which can cause varying degrees of breathing difficulty, coughing, expectoration of pink frothy sputum, palpitations, and fatigue. Right heart failure primarily appears as liver congestion and other symptoms related to the digestive system, such as nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Total heart failure includes symptoms of both left heart failure and right heart failure, and medical attention should be sought promptly after the onset of heart failure.

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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 Liu Ying
Cardiology
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Can heart failure be cured?

We say that some early-stage heart failure can be cured, such as peripartum cardiomyopathy and thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy. If discovered and treated early, there is hope for a cure. However, most heart failure cannot be cured. Although some psychological failures cannot be cured, if patients can receive early treatment and effective treatment, take their medication on time, and have regular check-ups as advised by their doctor, most heart failure can still be controlled or alleviated. However, if heart failure is detected and not actively treated, even mild heart failure may gradually worsen, or even become end-stage heart failure.