Types of Heart Failure: lifeclinic.com

	Key Word Search



	Basic Facts
	How to Lower It
	Monitoring Your BP
	Visiting Your Doctor
	Risk Factors
	Low Blood Pressure
	Hypertension & Pregnancy
	Stroke
	Heart Failure

	My Health Record

	FREE Blood Pressure Health Station Locator

	Locate a Dealer

	Resources
		Cookbook
		Hypertension Dictionary
		Health News
		Reminders
		My Saved Articles
		Links

	About Us
		Contact Us
		Press Releases
		Advertising

	Terms of Use
	Privacy Policy

Types of heart failure

About Heart failure | Incidence |

Types of heart failure | Causes

The term congestive heart failure is often used to describe all patients with heart failure. Congestion refers to the buildup of fluid. This is just one feature of the condition and it does not occur in all patients.

Systolic heart failure
This occurs when the heart's ability to contract decreases. The heart cannot pump with enough force to push a sufficient amount of blood into the circulation. Your doctor may calculate your "ejection fraction" to help determine how serious the problem is. Ejection fraction is the percent of the blood pumped out every time the heart beats. Blood coming into the heart from the lungs may back up and cause fluid to leak into the lungs. This is called pulmonary congestion. Systolic heart failure is the most common type.

Diastolic heart failure
This occurs when the heart has a problem relaxing. The heart cannot properly fill with blood because the muscle has become stiff, losing its ability to relax. This form may lead to fluid accumulation, especially in the feet, ankles and legs. Some people may have lung congestion.

How the heart compensates
The actual architecture of the heart may change to compensate for poor pumping. It may enlarge, which allows more blood into the heart. It may contract more frequently to increase circulation. Uncontrolled high blood pressure will cause the hearts muscles to thicken to compensate for increased blood pressure. Eventually, the heart can't compensate for the lost ability to pump blood and then signs of heart failure appear.

Sources for this report include the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, and the American Heart Association.

As the world’s top supplier of commercial blood pressure monitors and health management systems, Lifeclinic is committed to helping to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals across the globe. Active monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, weight, body fat, body mass index (BMI) and blood oxygen levels when combined with proper diet, nutrition and physical fitness can help ensure a longer, more healthy lifestyle.