Symptoms
The term for shortness of breath experienced while lying flat
What is orthopnoea?
An imaging test is commonly used to assess heart function and structure
What is an echocardiogram?
The class of drugs is commonly used to reduce fluid build-up in heart failure patients
What are diuretics?
A condition, often caused by high blood pressure that leads to the thickening and stiffening of the heart muscle, making it harder for the heart to pump blood
What is left ventricular hypertrophy?
A common respiratory complication of heart failure
What is pulmonary oedema?
The symptom of waking up at night feeling short of breath
What is paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea?
A blood test measuring a protein that increases with heart failure
What is pro B-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP)?
The medication helps to relax blood vessels and reduce the workload on the heart and can cause a cough
What are ACE inhibitors?
A condition, often resulting from a heart attack, involving the death of heart muscle tissue due to a lack of blood supply
What is a myocardial infarction?
The term for the build-up of fluid in the abdomen due to heart failure
What is ascites?
The term for swelling in the legs and ankles due to fluid retention
What is oedema?
The term for the measurement of the percentage of blood leaving the heart each time it contracts?
What is ejection fraction?
A device that can be implanted to help regulate heart rhythm
What is a pacemaker?
A condition that involves the thickening of the heart muscle, making it harder for the heart to pump blood
What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
A condition involving the formation of blood clots in the deep veins of the legs, which can potentially travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism
What is a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
The symptom characterised by a rapid or irregular heartbeat
What are palpitations?
A diagnostic tool that records the electrical activity of the heart
What is an electrocardiogram (ECG)?
A dietary lifestyle change recommended to reduce symptoms of heart failure
What is reducing salt intake?
A condition, characterised by the heart's inability to pump blood effectively often associated with chronic alcohol abuse or viral infections
What is dilated cardiomyopathy?
A serious complication of heart failure involving the build-up of fluid in the sac surrounding the heart, potentially leading to decreased heart function and cardiac tamponade?
What is a pericardial effusion?
An overwhelming feeling of tiredness and lack of energy, even with minimal exertion, due to the heart's reduced ability to pump oxygen-rich blood to the body
What is fatigue?
A test that involves walking on a treadmill or pedalling a stationary bike to monitor heart function?
What is a cardiac stress test?
A device that delivers electrical shocks to restore a normal heart rhythm in patients with life-threatening arrhythmias
What is an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)?
A hormone released in response to decreased cardiac output and increases blood pressure
What is renin?
The term for the reduced blood flow to the kidneys due to heart failure
What is renal insufficiency?