Aunt Li, 67 years old, is a retired teacher and has a good physique. In recent months, however, she has begun to notice a disturbing change: her chest feels dull and her breath is short of breath when she usually walks a few steps. Initially, she thought it might be a common problem for older people, perhaps simply because they were older and less physically fit than before. But as time goes on, this symptom becomes more and more frequent, and it is difficult to breathe even during the night rest. Until one time when she was shopping at the supermarket, she suddenly felt strong chest tightness and couldn't breathe, and was rushed to the hospital.
At the hospital, after a series of heart function tests, Aunt Li was diagnosed with heart failure – a condition in which the heart cannot pump blood effectively to meet the body's needs. Doctors explain that chest tightness and shortness of breath are warning signs of heart failure, and many patients often miss the best time for treatment by ignoring these early symptoms. Fortunately, Aunt Li sought medical attention in time and began corresponding treatment and lifestyle adjustments, and her symptoms were significantly alleviated.
Aunt Li's experience is a warning that when you have unusual chest tightness and difficulty breathing, you should seek medical attention in time, which may be a precursor to heart failure.
Heart Failure Decoded: Understanding Your Heart
Definition and effects of heart failure
Heart failure, commonly known as heart failure, is a serious medical condition in which the heart loses its ability to pump blood effectively throughout the body. Not only does this reduce the blood supply to body tissues and organs, but it can also cause blockages in the return of blood to the heart and lungs. Heart failure may develop gradually due to damage to the heart or long-term overload (e.g., high blood pressure, heart valve disease).
Mechanism of heart failure
There are multiple mechanisms involved in the development of heart failure. First, the heart's ability to pump blood may be weakened by damage to the heart muscle or disease, such as after a myocardial infarction. Second, changes in the heart's structure, such as heart enlargement or heart valve dysfunction, can also affect its pumping efficiency. In addition, the heart may become inefficient due to overload (such as increased pressure due to high blood pressure) or abnormal heart rates (such as arrhythmias).
Classification of heart failure
Heart failure is often classified medically based on its clinical manifestations and the specific type of impairment in the heart's pumping function. There are two main types:
Systolic heart failure: The heart has impaired systolic function and cannot pump blood efficiently.
Diastolic heart failure: The diastolic function of the heart is impaired and the heart's ability to fill blood is impaired.
Chest tightness and shortness of breath: Not just tiredness, it can be an early sign of heart failure
Chest tightness and shortness of breath are often thought of as overwork or minor health problems, but for middle-aged and older adults, they can be early warning signs of heart failure. Heart failure, or heart failure, is a pathological condition in which the heart's ability to pump blood decreases. When the heart is unable to pump enough blood efficiently to meet the body's needs, a variety of symptoms can occur, with chest tightness and shortness of breath being the most common.
The relationship between heart failure and chest tightness and shortness of breath
In the development of heart failure, the heart's pumping function is weakened, resulting in poor blood circulation. This poor circulation affects the lungs first, as the lungs are the main site of oxygen exchange, and any change in blood flow that affects the lungs can directly lead to breathing difficulties. In addition, the reduced ability of the heart to pump blood can also lead to a buildup of fluid in the body, especially in the lungs, a condition called pulmonary edema, which can further exacerbate breathlessness and chest tightness.
Data shows that more than 50% of patients with heart failure have symptoms of chest tightness and shortness of breath in the early stages of the disease. Therefore, these symptoms should not be ignored, especially if they appear suddenly without obvious external influences.
Other warning signs of heart failure
In addition to chest tightness and shortness of breath, heart failure may also be accompanied by some of the following symptoms, which should not be ignored:
Nocturnal paroxysmal dyspnea: Patients who suddenly feel shortness of breath during night sleep and need to sit up to breathe are due to increased fluid return to the heart in the recumbent position, which increases the burden on the heart.
Edema of the lower extremities: due to the weakening of the heart's pumping function, blood circulation in the body slows down, causing increased venous pressure in the lower extremities, resulting in fluid leaking through the walls of blood vessels and accumulating in the lower extremities.
Fatigue: People with heart failure often experience persistent fatigue and fatigue that worsens with activity because the body's tissues and organs are unable to function properly due to insufficient blood supply.
Abnormal heart rate: The heart tries to compensate for the decrease in its ability to pump blood by increasing its heart rate, which can cause the heart to beat faster or irregularly.
The presence of these symptoms usually indicates that the heart's pumping function has been significantly affected, and further diagnosis is needed to confirm the presence and severity of heart failure.
Key steps to prevent symptoms from getting worse
For middle-aged and elderly people with chest tightness, shortness of breath and other warning symptoms of heart failure, timely medical attention is the key to prevent the condition from worsening. Doctors usually recommend tests such as electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, etc., to evaluate the structure and function of the heart. In addition, depending on the condition, blood tests may be done to look for cardiac markers and kidney function, which are important indicators to evaluate heart failure.
Recognising these symptoms and seeking medical attention in a timely manner can significantly improve treatment outcomes and improve quality of life. As middle-aged and older adults manage their health, it's important to be aware of these early warning signs of heart failure. By adjusting your lifestyle and following your doctor's treatment recommendations, you can effectively control the progression of heart failure and avoid the serious consequences of delayed treatment.