About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)
Introduction
Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF) is a severe and sudden worsening of heart failure symptoms, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs and other organs. It requires urgent medical attention and is a major cause of hospitalizations.
Causes of ADHF
ADHF can occur due to several triggers, including:
- Myocardial ischemia or infarction (heart attack)
- Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Fluid overload (due to excess sodium intake)
- Medication non-compliance
- Infections or anemia
- Kidney dysfunction
Symptoms of ADHF
- Severe shortness of breath (even at rest)
- Coughing or wheezing (due to fluid in the lungs)
- Rapid weight gain (fluid retention)
- Edema (swelling in legs, ankles, or abdomen)
- Fatigue and weakness
- Confusion or reduced alertness (in severe cases)
Diagnosis
Doctors diagnose ADHF through:
- Physical examination
- Blood tests (BNP/NT-proBNP levels to assess heart failure severity)
- Chest X-ray (to check for fluid in lungs)
- Echocardiogram (to assess heart function)
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) (to detect arrhythmias or ischemia)
Treatment
Immediate Management:
- Oxygen therapy (for breathing difficulty)
- Diuretics (to remove excess fluid)
- Vasodilators (to reduce heart workload)
- Inotropes (if the heart is too weak to pump effectively)
Long-term Management:
- Lifestyle modification (low-salt diet, weight monitoring)
- Optimized heart failure medications (ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers)
- Implantable devices (such as a pacemaker if needed)
Prevention
- Regular follow-ups with a cardiologist
- Adherence to medication
- Healthy diet and fluid management
- Blood pressure control
Recognition of early warning signs and prompt treatment can prevent complications and improve outcomes for patients suffering from heart failure.
Source recommendations
1. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines on Heart Failure Management
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001063
- https://www.acc.org/education-and-meetings/products-and-resources/features/global-cv-institute/heart-failure-guidelines
- https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2023.12.024
- https://www.acc.org/Guidelines
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35363499/
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Acute Heart Failure
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Acute-and-Chronic-Heart-Failure
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/36/3599/6358045
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Focused-Update-on-Heart-Failure-Guidelines
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34447992/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001063
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
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Best practices from USA, EU and Japan
Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
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We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.