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 | What is it? | What problems does it cause? | 
| Atrial fibrillation | An irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) | 
Can make heart failure worseGreatly increases risk of strokeCan cause palpitations | 
| Ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia | Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) | 
Syncope (fainting)PalpitationsSudden death | 
| Kidney failure | Reduced functioning of your kidneys | 
Decreased urine outputFatigue, poor appetite, lethargyUltimately life-threatening | 
| Anemia | Decreased oxygen-carrying hemoglobin in red blood cells | 
Weakness and fatigueMay raise risk of problems linked to heart failure | 
| Stroke | Your brain is deprived of oxygen because its blood supply has been significantly decreased or cut off. | 
Loss of cognitive or motor functionCan be life-threatening | 
| Heart valve condition | A leaky or tight valve reduces the efficiency of the heart’s pumping action. | 
Makes heart failure worseCan predispose to atrial fibrillationMay need surgical repair | 
| Cardiac cachexia | Unintentional severe weight loss | 
Can require supplemental nutritionCan be life-threatening | 
| Leg venous stasis and ulcers | 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. | 
Can predispose to cellulitis, infection of the skin | 
 
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