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In our previous blogs, we’ve discussed the common symptoms and treatment options for heart failure. However, the plan of treatment depends on the side of the heart that’s affected.

Heart failure is usually of two types – left-sided and right-sided. While left sided heart failure is the result of the weakening of the left ventricle, right sided heart failure is caused due to a weak right ventricle.

right sided heart failure

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at right sided heart failure to understand its causes and symptoms. Let’s get started.

What Is Right Sided Heart Failure?

Right-sided heart failure is a condition characterized by the weakening of the heart’s right ventricle. That means the right ventricle can’t pump deoxygenated blood into the lungs with maximum efficiency. It results in a buildup of blood in the veins, thus causing swelling in the legs and abdomen.

What Causes Right-Sided Heart Failure?

The most likely cause of right sided heart failure is a weak left ventricle. In other words, left sided heart failure eventually leads to right sided heart failure.

When the left ventricle becomes weak, it can’t pump an adequate amount of oxygen-rich blood into the body. It causes blood to back up into the lungs. That, in turn, means the right ventricle has to work harder to pump oxygen-depleted blood into the lungs. It results in the gradual weakening of the muscles and leads to right sided heart failure. Left sided heart failure is usually caused by coronary artery disease, hypertension, or a previous heart attack.

Additionally, any condition that taxes the right ventricle’s pumping power can lead to right sided heart failure. These include:

Chronic respiratory disease
Pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary embolism

What Are the Symptoms of Right Sided Heart Failure?

One of the most common right sided heart failure symptoms is swelling in the legs and abdomen due to fluid buildup. Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen can also cause nausea, bloating, and loss of appetite.

Other symptoms of right sided heart failure include:

Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Heart palpitations

How Is Right Sided Heart Failure Diagnosed?

Firstly, a cardiologist will ask you about your symptoms and medical history. Also, they’ll perform a physical examination to check your blood pressure and heart rate. They might even use a stethoscope to identify abnormal heart sounds.

They can also recommend routine blood tests, such as complete blood count, lipid panel, and electrolyte tests. Additionally, they can order a brain natriuretic peptide test.

Besides blood tests, doctors also order the following lab tests to diagnose right sided heart failure:

Chest X-ray
Electrocardiogram
Echocardiogram
Exercise testing
Coronary angiography

Right Sided Heart Failure vs. Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure is an outdated term that was used to refer to fluid buildup in the lungs due to a weak left ventricle. However, a more inclusive term – heart failure – is used now. Right sided heart failure is a specific type of heart failure caused by a weak right ventricle.

Final Thoughts

The most common right sided heart failure symptoms include swelling in the legs and abdomen, breathlessness, and chest pain. Doctors use a variety of tests, including ECG, coronary angiography, and chest X-ray, to diagnose the condition and determine the right course of treatment.

Dr. C Raghu is an eminent cardiologist specializing in interventional cardiology. He’s helped several patients with serious heart conditions. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of heart failure, reach out to Dr. Raghu today.

What Is the Most Common Cause of Right-Sided Heart Failure ? – Blog

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Depending on the side of the heart that’s been affected, heart failure can be of two types – left-sided and right-sided. We’ve already discussed the causes and symptoms of right sided heart failure in one of our previous blogs.

It’s now time for us to dig deeper into left sided heart failure, which is the most likely cause of right sided heart failure. Let’s jump right in.

Related: What Is a Normal Ejection Fraction by Age?

What Is Left Sided Heart Failure?

left sided heart failure

Left sided heart failure is characterized by a decline in the heart’s pumping function. In this condition, the heart gradually loses its ability to pump blood from the left ventricle into the arteries.

The ejection fraction for a patient with left sided heart failure is often lower than 50%. That, in turn, leads to a buildup of blood in the lungs and fluid in the body. Also, left sided heart failure depletes vital organs of oxygen-rich blood.

Related: What Is Systolic Heart Failure?

What Are the Symptoms of Left Sided Heart Failure?

The most common left sided heart failure symptoms include:

Shortness of breath

Coughing and wheezing

Weight gain (due to fluid buildup)

Additionally, a lack of an adequate blood supply to the brain can cause confusion. Also, it can result in fatigue.

What Causes Left Sided Heart Failure?

Left sided heart failure is the result of a gradual weakening of the heart’s left ventricle. It can happen due to underlying conditions, such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, and heart valve damage. It can also be the result of heart muscle damage due to a previous heart attack.

Related: Understanding Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms

Treatment of Left Sided Heart Failure

Doctors treat left sided heart failure based on its underlying cause. They can prescribe medication, such as ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers, to manage conditions like hypertension. Additionally, many patients are prescribed diuretic pills to prevent fluid buildup due to heart failure.

Left sided heart failure treatment also involves a healthy diet and lifestyle changes. For instance, a doctor might recommend that you follow an exercise routine and lose weight. Also, they’ll ask you to avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.

Left Sided Heart Failure vs. Right Sided Heart Failure

left sided heart failure

In right sided heart failure, the right ventricle becomes weak and has trouble pumping deoxygenated blood to the lungs. It’s usually a result of progression of a left sided heart failure. People with right heart failure present with swelling of feet, face, abdomen and distended pulsatile neck veins. They can also present with generalised weakness and easy fatiguability.

When the left ventricle doesn’t pump out an adequate amount of oxygenated blood to the circulatory system, some of the excess blood flows back into the lungs. This leads to breathlessness as the predominant symptom of left heart failure. This breathlessness can present initially on unaccustomed exertion to progress with less severe exercise and finally to breathlessness on lying flat. Left heart failure in turn, makes it difficult for the right ventricle to pump deoxygenated blood to the lungs. In the long run, it exerts the walls of the right ventricle and results in right sided heart failure.

In Conclusion

Left sided heart failure is a serious condition that can result in organ damage and right sided heart failure. The condition can be treated with a combination of medicines, like beta-blockers and diuretics, and lifestyle changes.

Dr. C Raghu is an eminent cardiologist with more than two decades of experience. He’s been treating patients with various heart conditions, helping them live longer and healthier lives. If you or anyone you know has developed symptoms of left sided heart failure, don’t hesitate to consult Dr. Raghu right away.

Left-Sided Heart Failure – Blog

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The heart is a critical organ that powers the human body. It beats roughly 100,000 times a day and pumps more than 2,000 tons of blood throughout the body.

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart gradually loses its pumping capacity. It can lead to symptoms like breathlessness, fluid buildup, and mental confusion. In the long run, it can result in organ damage and even death.

In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the symptoms, causes, and treatment of congestive cardiac failure. Let’s dive right in.

Congestive Cardiac Failure and Heart Failure: Are They the Same?

Traditionally, doctors used the terms congestive cardiac failure or congestive heart failure to refer to the progressive deterioration of the heart’s pumping action. They used “congestion” to describe the buildup of fluid in the lungs due to heart failure.

congestive cardiac failure

However, subsequent studies have shown that the condition can lead to other symptoms, such as swollen feet, fatigue, and mental confusion. That’s why doctors use the term heart failure nowadays.

Causes of Congestive Heart Failure

Irrespective of whether you call it congestive cardiac failure or simply heart failure, its most common causes include:

Hypertension

Coronary artery disease

Cardiomyopathy

Heart valve damage
Diabetes
Heart rhythm disturbances

Additionally, damaged or dying heart tissue due to an infection or a previous heart attack can result in congestive cardiac failure.

Related : Mitral Valve Stenosis : Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure

congestive cardiac failure

The symptoms of congestive heart failure depend on whether it causes a lack of oxygen supply to the organs or excess fluid buildup in the body.

In the first case, the symptoms include mental confusion, fatigue, and discolored or bluish skin. In the second case, heart failure can lead to symptoms, such as shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, weight gain, swelling in the feet, legs, and abdomen, and loss of appetite.

Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure

The treatment of congestive heart failure depends on its underlying cause and the side of the heart that’s affected. A doctor will order a series of tests, such as chest X-ray, ECG, echocardiogram, and coronary angiography. Routine blood tests, such as lipid panel and electrolyte tests, might be needed, too.

Once the root cause is identified, your doctor can prescribe one or more of the following medications:

Diuretic or water pills
Beta-blockers
ACE inhibitors or Angiotension receptor Neprilysin inhibitor
Digoxin
Anticoagulants

Additionally, the doctor will recommend lifestyle changes, including exercise, a low-sodium diet, and weight loss. Also, they’ll ask you to quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption. In extreme cases, patients need a heart transplant or ventricular assist device (VAD) to improve their quality of life.

Wrapping Up

Congestive cardiac failure is a chronic condition with no known cure. If left untreated, it can lead to organ damage and death. However, a proper treatment plan comprising lifestyle changes and medications can help manage various symptoms.

Dr. C Raghu is a renowned cardiologist and a specialist in interventional cardiology. If you or anyone you know is experiencing symptoms of heart failure, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Raghu right away.

Congestive Cardiac Failure – Blog

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Atrial fibrillation is a progressive heart disease that can’t be cured. But the right course of treatment can help control afib symptoms and help patients live a close-to-normal life.

If you want to learn more about diagnosing atrial fibrillation, check out our previous blog posts.

Advancements in medical research have led to the development of different treatments for atrial fibrillation. Typically, you can choose from two treatment options – heart rate control and heart rhythm control.

Let’s take a look at the available treatment options and help you choose the right one.

Afib Treatment: Controlling Heart Rate

Rate control is an effective afib treatment option that involves controlling abnormal electrical activity in the atria to slow down the heart. This can be achieved with the help of medications or a surgical procedure.

Medications for Rate Control

Rate control medications slow down the conduction of electrical signals in the heart to prevent it from beating faster. These include:

Beta-blockers like atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Concor), carvedilol (Cardivas), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), etc.
Calcium-channel blockers like diltiazem (Dilzem) and verapamil (Calaptin)
Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Beta-blockers and calcium-channel blockers (CCBs) are more widely used. However, they can cause side effects, such as headaches and dizziness.

Digoxin is prescribed to patients who can’t take beta-blockers or CCBs. Potential side effects include anxiety, mood swings, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

Irrespective of the type of medication you take, it can take time to identify the correct dosage. Also, your doctor might ask you to wear a Holter monitor to understand whether the medication is working.

AV Ablation

If rate control medications don’t work for a patient, they can undergo a procedure called AV ablation. It involves destroying cells in the atrioventricular node in the right atrium and installing a pacemaker to stabilize the heart rate.

Afib Treatment: Controlling Heart Rhythm

If afib symptoms, such as dizziness and fatigue, disrupt your normal life, your doctor might recommend treatment options to control the heart rhythm. However, it’s worth noting that it involves more serious side effects and risks.

The most commonly used rhythm control treatments for afib include:

Antiarrhythmics

Antiarrhythmics are medications that help the heart maintain its normal rhythm. These include:

Amiodarone (Cordarone)
Disopyramide (Norpace)
Dronedarone (Multaq)
Flecainide (Tambocor)
Propafenone (Rythmonorm)
Sotalol (Sotagard)

Cardioversion

Cardioversion is a medical procedure that restores the heart’s normal sinus rhythm using electrical impulses or antiarrhythmic medications. Electrical cardioversion initially works for 90% of patients. Doctors often recommend rhythm control medications after the procedure to keep the heart’s rhythm in check.

It’s worth noting that cardioversion increases your risk of stroke. So, you might have to take anticoagulants for a month before and after the procedure.

Catheter Ablation

Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that controls an abnormal heart rhythm by destroying tiny spots of tissues in the atrium. It involves the use of heat (radiofrequency ablation) or cold(cryoablation).

Risks and complications of catheter ablation include stroke, heart attack, damage to blood vessels, and fluid buildup around the heart.

Choosing the Right Treatment

Your choice of afib treatment depends on various factors, including your age and how long you’ve had afib. For instance, if you’re young and have been newly diagnosed, cardioversion or catheter ablation might deliver better results. Rhythm control treatment is also essential for patients who experience severe symptoms.

On the other hand, if you’re older and don’t experience significant symptoms, such as dizziness, palpitation, and fatigue, rate control treatment might be better suited for you.

In Conclusion

Treating atrial fibrillation involves controlling the heart’s rate and rhythm to minimize bothersome symptoms. If you’ve been experiencing frequent afib episodes, consult your doctor right away to explore your treatment options.

Dr. C Raghu is a renowned cardiologist with more than two decades of experience. If you’ve been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, reach out to Dr. Raghu today to choose the right treatment plan for your condition.

Atrial Fibrillation Treatment: Choosing a Long-Term Strategy and Controlling Heart Rate and Rhythm Blog

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Atrial fibrillation (AFib) interferes with the normal functioning of the heart. It can lead to blood clots, which, in turn, can result in a stroke or heart failure. That makes it crucial to diagnose the condition early on and start the necessary treatment.

If you have been experiencing symptoms like palpitations, dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath, it’s important to consult a medical practitioner.

What to Expect When You Visit a Doctor?

If you think you’re at risk of developing AFib or already have the condition, your doctor will ask you about your medical history and symptoms. It’s a good idea to maintain a list of any unusual symptoms you might have been experiencing. If you have pre-existing medical conditions, such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and diabetes, make sure you let the doctor know.

Additionally, the doctor might ask questions about your family history and lifestyle. Once they have the necessary information, they’ll order one or more of the following tests before diagnosing AFib.

Blood Tests

These include tests to check your kidney, liver, and thyroid function. They’ll help identify underlying conditions, like hyperthyroidism, that might be causing afib episodes. Also, they’ll help your doctor decide the right course of AFib treatment.

Periodic ECG especially during palpitations is immensely helpful to diagnose AFib.

Chest X-Ray

It’ll help identify conditions, such as COPD and heart failure, that could be causing AFib.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

It helps monitor the heart’s electrical activity and detect any abnormalities in the heart rate and rhythm.

Exercise Stress Test

It involves undergoing an ECG while exercising on a treadmill or stationary bicycle. It helps identify conditions like coronary artery disease.

Echocardiogram (Echo)

It generates detailed images of the heart’s structure and movement to help doctors identify faulty valves and other defects.

Long-term ECG monitoring devices introduced in recent times for the diagnosis of infrequent brief episodes of AFib

Portable Heart beat Monitoring

Your doctor might ask you to wear a portable device, like a Holter monitor or cardiac event recorder, to monitor brief and infrequent AFib episodes.

If you don’t have any noticeable symptoms but are worried that you might be at risk of developing afib in the future, you can talk to your doctor about getting screened for the condition.

Stroke is a debilitating consequence of AFib. People who benefit from anticoagulants can be identified by CHA2DS2-VASc score.

Stroke Prevention and Atrial Fibrillation

Experts believe that AFib is responsible for at least 20% of all strokes. Also, it can increase your risk of having a stroke by up to five times. If you’ve been diagnosed with the condition, it’s crucial that you talk to your doctor about stroke prevention.

Risk Assessment

The first thing a doctor will do is evaluate your risk of stroke. They calculate the CHA2DS2-VASc score, which is an acronym for:

C: Congestive heart failure
H: High blood pressure
A: Age 75 and older
D: Diabetes
S: Previous stroke
V: Vascular disease
A: Age 65 to 74
Sc: Sex

Anticoagulant Medications

Depending on your score, the doctor might prescribe anticoagulants or blood thinners to prevent the formation of blood clots. While warfarin used to be the most commonly used anticoagulant, doctors now prescribe other drugs like:

Apixaban (Eliquis)
Dabigatran (Pradaxa)
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)

Surgery

If you can’t take blood thinner due to any medical condition, you can undergo a procedure called left atrial appendage closure to minimize your risk of stroke due to AFib.

Timely diagnosis and proper treatment can improve the quality of life and longevity of individuals with AFib. If you experience any symptoms of AFib, make sure you immediately consult a doctor.

Diagnosing Atrial Fibrillation and Preventing Stroke Blog

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Atrial fibrillation, also known as afib or A-fib, is a medical condition that causes the heart to beat irregularly and quickly. It affects more than 3 million people in the US. While the normal human heart beats at 60 to 100 beats per minute, afib can increase the rate to 400 to 600 beats per minute. That, in turn, can increase an individual’s risk of stroke and heart failure.

If you’re wondering whether you have afib, it’s essential to watch out for the common symptoms of the condition. But let’s first take a look at the different types of afib.

Types of Atrial Fibrillation

Depending on the duration of afib episodes, the condition can be categorized as:

Paroxysmal (Intermittent) – Episodes last for less than seven days and stop without medical intervention
Persistent (Continuous) – Episodes last for more than a week and require a doctor’s intervention
Permanent (Long-standing) – Afib episodes that have been happening for more than a year (making it difficult to restore the heart’s normal rhythm)

In the absence of proper treatment, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation can progress to persistent and permanent afib. That emphasizes the importance of diagnosing the condition at an early stage.

90% of afib episodes may not cause any noticeable symptoms.

Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation

If an individual has afib, it can cause the following symptoms:

Chest pain or pressure
Palpitation
Dizziness
Fainting
General weakness
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Swollen ankles or feet

It’s worth noting that nearly 90% of afib episodes may not cause any noticeable symptoms. You might come to know that you have afib only when you get an electrocardiogram as part of a routine heart checkup.

Majority get to know AFib only when they get an electrocardiogram (ECG) as part of a routine heart checkup.

Causes of Atrial Fibrillation

Typically, afib is the result of irregular electrical signals from the walls of the pulmonary veins that carry blood from the lungs to the left atrium. It can happen due to the following factors:

Age: As an individual grows older, their risk of developing afib increases. While only 2% of people younger than 65 years have afib, that figure rises to 9% for people older than 65 years.

Gender: Men are at a higher risk of developing afib. However, women with afib experience more severe symptoms and have a worse quality of life.

Genetics: People with a family history of afib could be at a higher risk of developing the condition.

Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol use disorders, such as binge drinking, can damage the heart muscles and increase your likelihood of developing afib.

Heart Diseases

Atrial fibrillation is more common in people with cardiovascular diseases, such as:

Hypertension
Coronary artery disease
Cardiomyopathy
Congenital heart defects
Impaired pumping capacity

Also, people who have undergone major heart surgeries or have a malfunctioning pacemaker are at risk of developing afib.

Pre-existing Medical Conditions

People with the following medical conditions can have a propensity for afib:

Obesity
Diabetes
Chronic kidney disease
Obstructive sleep apnea
Hyperthyroidism
Pulmonary embolism
Pneumonia
COPD

In Conclusion

Afib is a serious heart condition that can have life-threatening consequences. If you think you’re at risk of developing the condition or have been experiencing symptoms like palpitations and dizziness, make sure you consult an experienced cardiologist right away.

Do You Have Atrial Fibrillation and What Are Its Causes Blog

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Introduction

Atrial fibrillation (AFib or AF) is when your heart’s upper chambers (Atria) beat irregularly and out of sync. The heart’s pumping function isn’t as strong or efficient as it should be because the atria aren’t squeezing in rhythm as they should be. This can cause an increased risk of stroke or reduce the pumping efficiency of the heart. Fortunately, with treatment, you can prevent stroke and live longer.

Anyone can develop atrial fibrillation. The risk of AF increases with age, especially after age 65. But it also affects younger people who have had heart failure or other underlying conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. People who smoke are more likely to develop AFib than non-smokers. High blood Pressure is another risk factor for developing the condition. Diabetes can also be a contributor because the disease often leads to heart problems like valve damage or increased stiffness of heart muscles. which could lead to atrial fibrillation.

AFib Symptoms Can Be Mild or Severe

Atrial fibrillation symptoms can be mild or severe, which include, but are not limited to:

Palpitations (a sensation of fluttering in the chest)
Fatigue
Dizziness
Shortness of breath

There Are Three Types of Treatment For AFib

There are three types of treatment for atrial fibrillation.

Medications: The most common medications include beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and anticoagulants. These drugs are used to keep your heart rhythm steady and treat the symptoms of AFib.

Catheter Ablation: In this procedure, a thin tube called a catheter is inserted into either arm or groin area where an electric current is delivered directly into abnormal tissue triggering heart muscle contraction so that electrical waves are not able to form again
Surgery: If medications don’t control your symptoms, surgery may be an option. However, it’s only performed as a part of another surgery – usually a valve replacement surgery. In this procedure criss-cross incisions are made in the atria wall so that there are no abnormal electric circuits that are persistent.. There are two types of surgery options: one is done on the surface of the heart (called ablation) with another that goes through open chest surgery (called surgery).

If you’re living with atrial fibrillation, there are several medications that can help keep your heart rate regular and reduce your risk of stroke.

Anticoagulants can reduce the risk of blood clots forming in your heart or elsewhere in the body.
Beta-blockers lower heart rate and blood pressure, making it easier for your body to pump blood. They may also help relieve chest pain and dizziness caused by irregular heartbeat (known as palpitations).
Calcium channel blockers can improve blood flow through narrowed arteries by affecting the way calcium travels through them, reducing the stress on the heart muscles.

Conclusion

If you’ve been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, don’t panic. It is a treatable condition, and the right treatment can make it almost as easy to manage as other common conditions like hypertension or diabetes. If you feel like something might be wrong with your heart and want to know more about AFib treatment options, talk to your doctor or go see a cardiologist today.

Atrial Fibrillation – A Common Treatable Condition Blog

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Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is one of the most common heart arrhythmias (irregular or abnormal beating). It happens when your heart’s upper chambers (the atria) beat abnormally fast and out of rhythm. It can lead to severe complications like blood clots, stroke, and heart failure. So you must know how AFib affects your body and what to do about it.

The Heart Is a Smart Pump

The heart is a muscular organ that’s divided into four chambers. The tricuspid valve separates the right atrium and ventricle, and the mitral valve separates the left atrium and ventricle. The heart can’t just pump blood around your body; it also has to know what’s going on and how to respond. The heart can do this because of the electrical system within its walls.

The heart’s electrical system is made up of two different types of cells: pacemaker cells and conducting cells. The pacemaker cells are found in the upper right chamber. They generate an electrical impulse that travels through the conducting system to stimulate the contraction of your ventricles (right and left).

Beating of a Heart

A heartbeat is caused by electrical signals traveling through the heart chambers and valves to tell them how hard to contract at what time. The sinoatrial node (SA node) sends these signals out; it’s located at the junction of your right atrium and superior vena cava. The SA node acts as the central command for your cardiac rhythm. It keeps track of all your electrical activity and coordinates how to pump blood efficiently throughout the body.

What Happens in Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a heart rhythm disorder where abnormal electrical signals from an overactive nerve cause the atria to contract too quickly and chaotically, which causes blood to pool in the upper chambers of your heart instead of flowing smoothly into the ventricles.

It can lead to symptoms like:

Palpitations (heart pounding)
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Dizziness
Fainting
Sweating

Types of Atrial Fibrillation

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common type, is a temporary condition that can last a few minutes or several days. When you have paroxysmal AF, you may experience symptoms such as heart palpitations and shortness of breath. Some people also experience chest pain or lightheadedness in addition to the above symptoms.

Persistent atrial fibrillation is an ongoing condition with abnormal heart rhythms that last longer than three months. But it’s not considered chronic AFib if you don’t experience any symptoms from them.

Permanent atrial fibrillation is another type of long-term irregular heartbeat that occurs when all the cells in your heart’s upper chambers develop arrhythmias (irregular electrical signals) for an extended period.

Conclusion

Atrial fibrillation is a common heart condition that can be serious. It’s important to know the symptoms of atrial fibrillation and how you can manage it. If you think you have atrial fibrillation, contact your doctor right away so they can help diagnose and treat the condition before it gets worse!

Atrial Fibrillation And The Heart’s Rythm Blog

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Role of ECG in Heart Failure

ecg

ECG is a simple inexpensive test to asses heart function. ECG is the short form for electrocardiogram or electrocardiography.

ECG equips the doctor with basic heart information such as

Rhythm of heart – Regular or irregular. The most common irregular heart rhythm is atrial fibrillation and frequently seen in heart failure patients.
Heart rate – Normal heart rate is between 50-100 beats per minute. A slow heart rate (less than 50) is called bradycardia and a fast rate (more than 100) is tachycardia.
Heart enlargement – Heart chambers enlargement can also be reasonably assessed. But the best test to assess heart chamber enlargement is cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (Cardiac MRI).
Heart attack – current and those in the past can be identified by predefined patterns on ECG.

Advanced information from ECG in Heart Failure

Reduced blood supply to heart – if a patient had a previous heart attack it usually can be diagnosed through an ECG. It is not necessary that all patients with reduced blood supply can be identified through ECG. Coronary angiography is a common test performed by doctors to estimate the blood supply to the heart.
Pumping efficiency of the heart – presence of an abnormal ECG usually indicates abnormal heart efficiency. The common abnormalities on ECG include but not limited to – complete bundle branch block, hemiblock, features indicating a previous heart attack or chamber enlargement.
Left bundle branch block (LBBB) – presence of LBBB (if the QRS duration is more than 150 m seconds on ECG) and a reduced EF on echo (less than 35%) is a indication for specialized therapies such as cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Resynchronization means re establishing the synchronous beating of the heart.
Abnormal rhythm may indicate need for advanced therapies such as pacemaker in heart block, implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) if EF is less than 35% on echo, catheter ablation in atrial fibrillation and abnormal ventricular rhythm.
Unique and uncommon problems of the heart such as infiltrative disorder (amyloidosis, restrictive cardiomyopathy) and rare diseases such as or arrhythmogenic RV dysplasia can be identified on ECG.

Does a normal ECG rule out a heart attack?

An ECG is a simple yet powerful tool to assess the heart function. But at the same time a normal ECG does not rule out a heart attack or other diseases if the disease is quite early stage. If the disease is advanced the ECG remains a quite predictable and powerful tool. So, if the person had a heart attack, we do not entirely rely upon ECG but we additionally incorporate the value of high sensitive troponin to make a confirmed diagnosis of heart attack.

ECG complements advanced investigations

Information obtained from ECG is utilized while interpreting advanced tests such as echocardiography (echo), coronary angiography, cardiac MRI, PET CT scan etc.

ECG is a powerful tool in advanced disease but in the early disease too it could be used as an adjunct to other tests.

Heart Failure – Role of Electrocardiogram (ECG) Blog

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Heart failure can be categorized into different types depending on various factors. While most conditions cause similar symptoms, clear identification of the type of heart failure is crucial for doctors to determine the proper course of treatment.

You can check out our previous blogs for a detailed glimpse of heart failure symptoms. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at different types of heart failure. Let’s get started.

Diastolic vs. Systolic Heart Failure

Systolic heart failure is a condition characterized by an ejection fraction lower than 50%. Also known as heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, it’s the result of a problem in the contraction phase of the heart’s pumping cycle.

It happens when the left ventricle weakens and fails to contract properly and pump an adequate amount of oxygenated blood into the arteries. As the condition worsens, it can compromise the right ventricle, too.

Diastolic heart failure represents a problem in the relaxed phase of the heart’s pumping cycle. It happens when the ventricles become stiff and thick and can’t relax enough. That means an adequate amount of blood doesn’t fill the heart, causing it to back up in the lungs. Also known as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, the condition is more common in elderly women with hypertension or diabetes.

Left-Sided vs. Right-Sided Heart Failure

In left-sided heart failure, the left ventricle becomes weak and doesn’t expel enough blood into the arteries. It causes fluid buildup in the lungs and leads to shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing. Also, it results in a lack of adequate blood supply to the organs, resulting in confusion, fatigue, and pale skin color.

The most common causes of left-sided heart failure include coronary artery disease, hypertension, heart valve damage, and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Right-sided heart failure is characterized by a weak right ventricle, due to which an adequate amount of deoxygenated blood doesn’t reach the lungs. Instead, it flows back into the veins and results in swelling in the legs and abdomen. The most common cause of right-sided heart failure is left-sided heart failure.

Compensated vs. Decompensated Heart Failure

When a patient has heart failure, but their heart is functioning well enough not to cause any visible symptoms, the condition is known as compensated heart failure. As the condition progresses, it causes serious symptoms, such as breathlessness and fluid buildup, that require medical attention. This condition is known as decompensated heart failure.

Decompensated heart failure is usually the result of a gradual deterioration of the heart pumping capacity due to pre-existing heart failure. However, if the onset of the condition is new and sudden, it is known as acute decompensated heart failure.

End-Stage Heart Failure

The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association have defined four distinct stages of heart failure. End-stage heart failure refers to the final (most advanced stage), where a patient’s symptoms are severe enough to require hospitalization. Also, they might need specialized treatment to stay out of the hospital.

In Conclusion

Heart failure can be of various types, depending on its underlying causes and the severity of symptoms. Doctors use tests like ECG, echocardiogram, stress testing, etc., to identify the type of heart failure and determine the right course of treatment.

If you or anyone you know has been experiencing symptoms of heart failure, feel free to reach out to Dr. C Raghu, one of India’s leading cardiologists.

Types of Heart Failure Blog

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What Is Right Sided Heart Failure?

What Causes Right-Sided Heart Failure?

What Are the Symptoms of Right Sided Heart Failure?

How Is Right Sided Heart Failure Diagnosed?

Right Sided Heart Failure vs. Congestive Heart Failure

Final Thoughts

What Is the Most Common Cause of Right-Sided Heart Failure ? – Blog

Related: What Is a Normal Ejection Fraction by Age?

What Is Left Sided Heart Failure?

Related: What Is Systolic Heart Failure?

What Are the Symptoms of Left Sided Heart Failure?

What Causes Left Sided Heart Failure?

Related: Understanding Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms

Treatment of Left Sided Heart Failure

Left Sided Heart Failure vs. Right Sided Heart Failure

In Conclusion

Left-Sided Heart Failure – Blog

Congestive Cardiac Failure and Heart Failure: Are They the Same?

Causes of Congestive Heart Failure

Related : Mitral Valve Stenosis : Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure

Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure

Wrapping Up

Congestive Cardiac Failure – Blog

Afib Treatment: Controlling Heart Rate

Medications for Rate Control

AV Ablation

Afib Treatment: Controlling Heart Rhythm

Antiarrhythmics

Cardioversion

Catheter Ablation

Choosing the Right Treatment

In Conclusion

Atrial Fibrillation Treatment: Choosing a Long-Term Strategy and Controlling Heart Rate and Rhythm Blog

What to Expect When You Visit a Doctor?

Blood Tests

Chest X-Ray

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Exercise Stress Test

Echocardiogram (Echo)

Portable Heart beat Monitoring

Stroke Prevention and Atrial Fibrillation

Risk Assessment

Anticoagulant Medications

Surgery

Diagnosing Atrial Fibrillation and Preventing Stroke Blog

Types of Atrial Fibrillation

Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation

Causes of Atrial Fibrillation

Heart Diseases

Pre-existing Medical Conditions

In Conclusion

Do You Have Atrial Fibrillation and What Are Its Causes Blog

Introduction

AFib Symptoms Can Be Mild or Severe

There Are Three Types of Treatment For AFib

Conclusion

Atrial Fibrillation – A Common Treatable Condition Blog

The Heart Is a Smart Pump

Beating of a Heart

What Happens in Atrial Fibrillation

Types of Atrial Fibrillation

Conclusion

Atrial Fibrillation And The Heart’s Rythm Blog

Role of ECG in Heart Failure

Advanced information from ECG in Heart Failure

Does a normal ECG rule out a heart attack?

ECG complements advanced investigations

Heart Failure – Role of Electrocardiogram (ECG) Blog

Diastolic vs. Systolic Heart Failure

Left-Sided vs. Right-Sided Heart Failure

Compensated vs. Decompensated Heart Failure

End-Stage Heart Failure

In Conclusion

Types of Heart Failure Blog

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