Heart Failure Complications
Topic Overview
Even if you are treating your heart failure successfully, you may develop a complication that can be serious and life-threatening. It is important to identify complications of heart failure as soon as possible, because some can be extremely serious conditions. You can discuss your complications with your doctor and learn to take the proper steps to prevent them. The table below outlines the complications of heart failure.
Common complications of heart failure
Complication
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What is it?
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What problems does it cause?
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Atrial fibrillation
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An irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
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- Can make heart failure worse
- Greatly increases risk of stroke
- Can cause palpitations
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Ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia
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Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
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- Syncope (fainting)
- Palpitations
- Sudden death
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Kidney failure
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Reduced functioning of your kidneys
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- Decreased urine output
- Fatigue, poor appetite, lethargy
- Ultimately life-threatening
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Anemia
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Decreased oxygen-carrying hemoglobin in red blood cells
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- Weakness and fatigue
- May raise risk of problems linked to heart failure
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Stroke
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Your brain is deprived of oxygen because its blood supply has been significantly decreased or cut off.
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- Loss of cognitive or motor function
- Can be life-threatening
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Heart valve condition
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A leaky or tight valve reduces the efficiency of the heart’s pumping action.
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- Makes heart failure worse
- Can predispose to atrial fibrillation
- May need surgical repair
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Cardiac cachexia
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Unintentional severe weight loss
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- Can require supplemental nutrition
- Can be life-threatening
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Leg venous stasis and ulcers
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Venous stasis: Your skin thickens and looks shiny or scaly, your hair might also fall out, your skin may also turn brown or reddish.
Ulcers: Injuries to your swollen legs cause fluid to constantly ooze out of cuts in your skin.
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- Can predispose to cellulitis, infection of the skin
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Credits
Current as ofApril 9, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Rakesh K. Pai, MD – Cardiology, Electrophysiology
E. Gregory Thompson, MD – Internal Medicine
Martin J. Gabica, MD – Family Medicine
Adam Husney, MD – Family Medicine
Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC – Interventional Cardiology
Current as of: April 9, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Rakesh K. Pai, MD – Cardiology, Electrophysiology & E. Gregory Thompson, MD – Internal Medicine & Martin J. Gabica, MD – Family Medicine & Adam Husney, MD – Family Medicine & Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC – Interventional Cardiology