“Heart Attack, Heart Failure” is one of the dangerous heart conditions that can lead to death. However, generally, we tend to think it is a distant issue because of the belief that heart disease or heart failure only occurs in old age, so we wait until we are older to take care and protect ourselves. In reality, even young people, teenagers, and working-age adults can face heart failure. What is most concerning is the trend showing that younger people have an increasing rate of heart failure. What causes this? Today, we have the answers to help everyone take better care of themselves to avoid the dangers of heart failure.
What is heart failure? Why does the heart fail?
Heart failure is a condition where the heart cannot pump blood to nourish different parts of the body. The human heart can be compared to a “water pump”. If the pump weakens, it cannot send water out for use. Therefore, when the heart weakens and cannot pump blood efficiently, various organs in the body will begin to “lack blood” or “cannot use the blood”, unable to deliver “oxygen in the blood” for use. This often leads to “fainting”, loss of consciousness, or in severe cases, when the heart cannot pump blood at all, it causes “blood to flood the lungs”, resulting in a condition called “pulmonary edema”, difficulty breathing, leading to heart failure that can stop the heart and cause death. The main causes leading to heart failure commonly found are diabetes and high blood pressure, which are toxic to the heart muscle, causing the heart to bear a heavy load, work hard, enlarge, and eventually lead to heart failure.
Why does heart failure occur in young people who are not elderly?
The reason that “heart failure” is increasingly found in younger patients is due to “changes in lifestyle behaviors of people today” who tend to consume more fast food, sweet foods, and high sugar intake, as well as spicy and salty foods high in salt and sodium. These factors lead to high blood lipids, high blood pressure, and diabetes more easily. These two diseases are toxic to the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart failure more easily and earlier even at a young age.
Additionally, lack of exercise is another important factor accelerating the chance of heart failure. When the body does not exercise and consumes an inappropriate diet leading to overweight, it causes non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as high blood pressure and diabetes, which are toxic to the heart muscle and blood vessels, ultimately causing heart failure.
How to recognize symptoms that indicate heart failure?
In the early stages of heart failure, patients will have noticeable symptoms, feeling “less able to exert themselves, easily tired when exerting”. As the condition worsens, symptoms include “being tired even doing small tasks, even daily activities that were previously easy now cause fatigue”. In more severe stages, symptoms include “feeling tired even when sitting still, coughing when lying down, swollen legs, and rapid weight gain”. If these symptoms are observed, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately as it is very dangerous and may lead to sudden death from heart failure.
How to treat heart failure?
The treatment approach for heart failure is to restore the heart to normal strength. First, if excess water and salt are detected in the body, doctors will remove them. Then, medication is given to prevent damage to the heart muscle. Finally, treatment focuses on the root cause of “what caused the heart failure?” to prevent recurrence. However, if medication combined with lifestyle and dietary changes to reduce the causes of heart failure is ineffective, or if heart failure is due to severe coronary artery blockage or severe valve leakage that cannot be controlled with medication, surgery is necessary.
How to take care of yourself to stay away from heart failure
Heart failure, once it occurs, cannot be completely cured. Therefore, the earlier we face this condition, the more difficult life becomes, and the less happiness we have. Normally, most people develop it after age 50, which is already difficult. If it occurs in the early 30s, it is even more challenging and reduces life opportunities. To stay safe and healthy, far from heart failure, the most important thing to do starting today is “to change lifestyle behaviors” to prevent rapid deterioration of blood vessels. We must take care of our diet and exercise regularly, avoid high blood pressure, avoid obesity, maintain a healthy weight, avoid high blood lipids, avoid diabetes, do not smoke, do not drink alcohol, and avoid stress. Get enough rest because if these are neglected, the chance of heart failure at a young age increases significantly.
Ultimately, how long we live, how strong and happy we are depends on how we take care of ourselves starting today. It is true that heart failure can be treated with medication and surgery, but these are treatments for the symptoms, which do not truly bring happiness. We still face the risk of heart failure throughout life and incur high medical costs. Therefore, the best way, the true best treatment for heart failure, is to take care of ourselves to have a strong body and stay as far away from heart failure as possible. If we can do this, not only heart failure but other serious diseases will not easily invade and destroy our happiness.
Dr. Jeerasak Sirithanyanont
Cardiologist
Heart Center, Phyathai 3 Hospital
