Cardiology

Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP)

Left or right ventricular assist device (LVAD)

Total artificial heartAt a certain point, the provider will decide whether it is best to keep treating heart failure aggressively. The person, along with their family and doctors, may want to discuss palliative or comfort care at this time.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Often, you can control heart failure by taking medicine, changing your lifestyle, and treating the condition that caused it.

Heart failure can suddenly get worse due to:

Ischemia (lack of blood flow to the heart muscle)

Eating high-salt foods

Heart attack

Infections or other illnesses

Not taking medicines correctly

New, abnormal heart rhythms

Most of the time, heart failure is a chronic illness. Some people develop severe heart failure. At this stage, medicines, other treatments, and surgery no longer help the condition.

People with heart failure may be at risk for dangerous heart rhythms. These people often receive an implanted defibrillator.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if you develop:

Increased cough or phlegm

Sudden weight gain or swelling

Weakness

Other new or unexplained symptoms

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if:You faint

You have fast and irregular heartbeat (especially if you also have other symptoms)

time.

A defibrillator sends an electrical pulse to stop life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms.

END-STAGE HEART FAILURE

Severe heart failure occurs when treatments no longer work. Certain treatments may be used when a person is waiting for (or instead of) a heart transplant:You feel a severe crushing chest pain