From a global perspective, cardiovascular disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in most populations 1. In the UK, CVD produces tremendous strain on the NHS and has compelling consequences upon patients, resources and the economic status of health services. Whilst Cancer has recently overtaken cardiovascular disease in leading causes of death in the UK, CVD has not been trailing in terms of mortality, with 28% of deaths in men and 26% in women according to the British Heart Foundation in 2014 2. However, whilst these figures seem large, it is worth noting that age-standardised death rates from cardiovascular disease have plummeted significantly since 1969 and are possibly indicative of better treatment, lifestyle choices
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Essentially, all diseases of the heart may lead to cardiac failure and there are many varieties, as well as many causes which will be discussed soon. Prognosis of heart failure is poor in some patients with approximately half of all patients with serious left sided heart failure passing away in a period of 2 years. Management is regularly convoluted and will rely upon the cause and the pathophysiology behind the heart failure to allow appropriate drug prescribing or provide the correct interventions for the patient …show more content…
Acute heart failure may occur in instances such as MI whilst compensated heart failure customarily develops steadily, for example, in patients with degenerative valve diseases. Heart failure can also be categorised depending on the side of the heart affected. Reduced cardiac output from the left atrium and ventricle are termed Left-sided heart failure whereas right sided heart failure involves the right atrium or ventricle which occurs in isolation most commonly due to cor pulmonale in conditions such as COPD. Biventricular failure is when both sides of the heart have diminished output and may happen in patients who have left-sided heart failure to begin with or any pathology affecting both ventricles. Other types of heart failure include forward failure which is due to reduced cardiac output and backward failure due to a significant increase in sodium and water retention thereby leading to congestion
Essentially, all diseases of the heart may lead to cardiac failure and there are many varieties, as well as many causes which will be discussed soon. Prognosis of heart failure is poor in some patients with approximately half of all patients with serious left sided heart failure passing away in a period of 2 years. Management is regularly convoluted and will rely upon the cause and the pathophysiology behind the heart failure to allow appropriate drug prescribing or provide the correct interventions for the patient …show more content…
Acute heart failure may occur in instances such as MI whilst compensated heart failure customarily develops steadily, for example, in patients with degenerative valve diseases. Heart failure can also be categorised depending on the side of the heart affected. Reduced cardiac output from the left atrium and ventricle are termed Left-sided heart failure whereas right sided heart failure involves the right atrium or ventricle which occurs in isolation most commonly due to cor pulmonale in conditions such as COPD. Biventricular failure is when both sides of the heart have diminished output and may happen in patients who have left-sided heart failure to begin with or any pathology affecting both ventricles. Other types of heart failure include forward failure which is due to reduced cardiac output and backward failure due to a significant increase in sodium and water retention thereby leading to congestion