Heart failure

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Circulation of blood through the heart

Heart, front view

Heart, section through the middle

Heart failure is a serious disorder that carries a reduced life expectancy. Many forms of heart failure can be controlled with medication, lifestyle change, and correction of any underlying disorder. Heart failure is usually a chronic illness, and it may worsen with infection or other physical stressors.

• Pulmonary edema
• Total failure of the heart to function (circulatory collapse)
• Arrhythmias including lethal arrhythmias

Possible side effects of medications include:

• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Light-headedness and fainting
• Lupus reaction
• Headache
• Gastrointestinal upset (such as nausea, heartburn, diarrhea)
• Cough
• Muscle cramps
• Digitalis toxicity

Call your health care provider if weakness, increased cough or sputum production, sudden weight gain or swelling, or other new or unexplained symptoms develop.

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you experience severe crushing chest pain, fainting, or rapid and irregular heartbeat (particularly if other symptoms accompany a rapid and irregular heartbeat).

Review Date: 07/17/2006
Reviewed By: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.