Herzinsuffizienzwhen the heart cannot keep up.
Heart failure means the heart is not pumping or filling as well as it should. It does not mean the heart has stopped. With the right medicines and follow-up, most people feel better and live longer.
At a glance
- Often noticed as
- Breathlessness, swollen ankles, tiredness
- Confirmed with
- Echocardiogram and a BNP blood test
- Aim of care
- Ease symptoms, protect the heart, prevent admissions
- Followed up in
- Herzinsuffizienz-Sprechstunde
Symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person, and some people have none. These are the most common.
- Breathlessness on exertion, or when lying flat
- Waking at night short of breath
- Swollen ankles, legs or tummy
- Tiredness and less energy for exercise
- Rapid weight gain over a few days
Causes and risk factors
- A previous heart attack, or coronary artery disease
- Long-standing high blood pressure
- Heart valve disease
- Cardiomyopathy, including inherited forms
- Atrial fibrillation and other rhythm problems
- Alcohol, some chemotherapy drugs and thyroid disease
How it is diagnosed
The diagnosis starts with your history and an examination. These are the tests most often used to confirm it.
- EchokardiografieIn der Praxis verfügbar
- EKGIn der Praxis verfügbar
- Kardio-MRTÜberweisung ins Krankenhaus
How it is managed
Medicines that protect the heart
Several families of medicine improve both symptoms and survival. They are started at low doses and increased step by step.
Fluid balance
Water tablets ease breathlessness and swelling. Weighing yourself every morning shows fluid building up early.
Treating the cause
Blood pressure, rhythm, valve and artery problems are treated alongside the heart failure itself.
Devices, when needed
Some people benefit from a special pacemaker or a defibrillator, arranged by referral to a specialist centre.
General information, not a treatment plan. Your treatment is decided with you after an assessment.
Get emergency help now if you have
Call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department. Do not wait for a clinic appointment.
- Severe breathlessness, or breathlessness at rest
- Chest pain or tightness
- Fainting, or a very fast heartbeat
- Coughing up pink, frothy phlegm
Common questions
Does heart failure mean my heart is about to stop?
No. It means the heart is not pumping or filling as efficiently as it should. It is a long-term condition, and treatment can improve both how you feel and how long you live.
Why should I weigh myself every day?
A rise of about 2 kg over two or three days usually means fluid is building up. Catching it early lets your treatment be adjusted before you become breathless.
Can heart failure get better?
Often, yes. With the right medicines the heart's pumping can recover partly or fully, especially when the cause is treated.
Other conditions
All conditions- VorhofflimmernEin unregelmäßiger, oft schneller Herzschlag, der in den Vorhöfen entsteht und das Schlaganfallrisiko erhöht.
- BluthochdruckDer Druck in den Arterien bleibt zu hoch. Er verursacht selten Beschwerden, belastet aber Herz und Gefäße auf Dauer.
- Erhöhtes CholesterinZu viel Cholesterin im Blut, das sich über viele Jahre in den Arterienwänden ablagern kann.
- Koronare HerzkrankheitDie Arterien, die den Herzmuskel versorgen, werden durch fetthaltige Ablagerungen verengt.
- KardiomyopathieEine Erkrankung des Herzmuskels selbst, der verdickt, gedehnt oder versteift sein kann.
- HerzklappenerkrankungEine der vier Herzklappen öffnet sich nicht vollständig oder schließt nicht richtig.
- Angina pectorisBrustbeschwerden, meist bei Belastung, wenn der Herzmuskel kurzzeitig zu wenig Blut erhält.
- HerzrhythmusstörungEin zu schneller, zu langsamer oder unregelmäßiger Herzschlag, verursacht durch eine Störung im elektrischen System des Herzens.
- Diabetes und HerzDiabetes erhöht das Risiko für Herz- und Gefäßerkrankungen, daher werden beide am besten gemeinsam behandelt.
Living with this, or worried you might be?
Book a consultation or send a question on WhatsApp. Your history, results and treatment are reviewed in person, and the plan is explained to you before you leave.
This page explains a condition in general terms. It cannot diagnose you or replace an examination, and it is not a treatment plan. Do not change or stop a medicine without talking to your doctor. If your symptoms are severe, sudden or happening now, seek emergency care immediately.