Heart failure is a terrible term: A cardiologist explains what it really means

By Michelle Ryan-Day
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Heart failure affects millions of Americans and can be a dire diagnosis. But thanks to advances in treatment and prevention, more patients with this condition can live longer, healthier lives. Luanda Grazette, M.D., USA Health cardiologist and division chief of cardiology, recently explained what heart failure means, how it is treated, and how people can reduce their risk.

“Heart failure is a discouraging and somewhat inaccurate term. I prefer cardiac insufficiency,” Grazette said. “The job of the heart is to propel blood throughout the circulatory system delivering blood to the entire body, and if something happens that prevents the heart from being able to do that effectively, that's what we describe as heart failure.”

Heart failure symptoms primarily include unexplained fatigue, shortness of breath, and swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen due to fluid retention. Other common signs include rapid weight gain, persistent coughing or wheezing, and dizziness.  

While the diagnosis can sound alarming, she emphasized that it does not mean the heart has stopped working. Instead, it signals the need for medical care and lifestyle changes.

Treatment begins by identifying the underlying cause, and she recommended a cardiovascular screening to help determine what that might be. Today, patients have more options than ever before, and with the right combination of treatment and healthy living, the majority of patients experience significant improvement in their symptoms, and many will also have improvement in the function of their heart.  

“We have many, many wonderful, targeted medications and treatments. So, we can really fine-tune what works for a person to give them the best chance of recovery of function,” Grazette said. “People on therapy can recover heart function and sometimes return to normal.”

Exercise and rehabilitation also play an important role in recovery. But that wasn’t always the case. In the past, bed rest was often prescribed for patients with heart failure or who had experienced a heart attack.  

“Exercise is great for people with heart failure, and it actually helps people with many heart conditions to recover,” Grazette said. “With our current era of medications and devices, not only is exercise safe, we recommend it. Cardiac rehabilitation is one of the most effective treatments we have.”

Managing high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol — along with maintaining a healthy lifestyle — can reduce the risk of developing heart failure. For those with a family history of the condition or who exhibit risk factors, screening is especially important.  

While heart failure is serious, it is a much more treatable condition than it has been in the recent past.

According to Grazette, “It means that your heart needs tender loving care and some additional attention from the physicians around you.”  

Patients seeking more information or an appointment can contact USA Health Cardiology by calling 251-873-6280.