Understanding Heart Failure Symptoms and Causes

Oct 8, 2024

Basics of Heart Failure Lecture Notes

Causes of Heart Failure

  • Anything affecting the heart's ability to pump can cause heart failure.
  • Main Causes:
    • Myocardial Infarctions (MIs)
    • Hypertension

Key Concept: Perfusion and Congestion

  • Decreased Perfusion (Forward):
    • Right-Sided Heart Failure: Affects the lungs, leading to oxygenation issues.
    • Left-Sided Heart Failure: Affects the body, leading to pale skin, decreased pulses, slow cap refill, and cool skin.
  • Increased Congestion (Backward):
    • Right-Sided Heart Failure: Systemic circulation is overloaded, causing peripheral edema.
    • Left-Sided Heart Failure: Congestion in the lungs, resulting in pulmonary edema.

Right-Sided Heart Failure

  • Forward Effects:
    • Decreased lung perfusion.
    • Symptoms: Oxygenation problems, activity intolerance due to poor blood flow and gas exchange.
  • Backward Effects:
    • Systemic congestion leads to peripheral edema.
    • Symptoms:
      • Swelling (edema) causing fatigue and potential weight gain.
      • Fluid retention in the gut, known as ascites, can cause nausea.
      • Jugular Vein Distension (JVD) due to blood backing up into the neck.

Left-Sided Heart Failure

  • Forward Effects:
    • Decreased perfusion to the body.
    • Symptoms:
      • Pale appearance, decreased pulses, slow cap refill, cool skin.
  • Backward Effects:
    • Congestion in the lungs leading to pulmonary edema.
    • Symptoms:
      • Cough with pink, frothy sputum.
      • Shortness of breath, especially when lying flat.
      • Significant respiratory issues indicate potential left-sided heart failure.

Classic Symptoms

  • Right-Sided Heart Failure: Peripheral edema, systemic volume overload.
  • Left-Sided Heart Failure: Pulmonary edema, fluid in the lungs.

Additional Resources

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Remember these key points about heart failure and how it affects perfusion and congestion differently on the right and left sides of the heart. Happy nursing!