It might surprise you to learn that heart failure doesn’t mean that the heart has stopped working. When someone is diagnosed with heart failure, it means their heart’s ability to pump blood is impaired. Heart failure is a chronic condition that worsens over time\u2014if it’s not managed.<\/p>\n
Heart failure vs. heart attack<\/strong> Symptoms of heart failure:<\/em><\/p>\n Symptoms vary depending on what kind of heart failure you have and how severe it is. Mild heart failure may have no noticeable symptoms outside of hard exertion. Symptoms to watch for include:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When you have a heart attack<\/strong>, blood flow to the heart is slowed dramatically or completely blocked. It’s a health emergency. Call 911 or go to the hospital if you think you’re having a heart attack.<\/p>\n Symptoms of a heart attack include:<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Risk factors <\/p>\n Other common issues that can raise your risk of heart failure include:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you’re diagnosed with heart failure, your health care provider will talk to you about treatment options. Lifestyle changes are almost certain to be among their recommendations. You’ll be encouraged to adopt a healthy eating pattern, stay physically active and reduce stress.<\/p>\n
\nWith heart failure<\/strong>, the heart isn’t pumping blood out of the heart as vigorously as it should. When this happens, your cells can’t get enough oxygen. Heart failure symptoms come on gradually. It’s a chronic condition.<\/p>\n\n
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\n<\/strong>Past heart conditions, such as a heart attack, increase your risk of heart failure. Another issue that raises your risk is metabolic syndrome. You may have metabolic syndrome if you have three or more of these health concerns:<\/p>\n\n
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