JABAR EKSPRES – Heart and Vascular Specialist, Dr. Leonardo Easter Suciadi, Sp.JP, FIHA, FESC said heart failure is a serious condition and must be detected early in order to minimize the risk factors.
Through a press release by Siloam Kebon Jeruk Hospital, Tuesday, Easter said the heart disease needs to be treated specifically and seriously. The cause of heart failure can come from a variety of heart diseases.
Coronary heart disease and uncontrolled high blood pressure are the most common causes.
“In addition, various other causes include valvular heart disease, uncorrected congenital heart defects, specific heart muscle disorders (cardiomyopathy), metabolic diseases (diabetes), or thyroid hormone disorders,” said Dr. Easter.
Other causes of heart failure include obesity, anemia, genetic disorders, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease, alcoholism, infection or inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), toxic effects of drugs (post-cancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy), and heart muscle abnormalities associated with pregnancy.
Symptoms and risk factors for heart failure
Dr. Easter said the symptoms of heart failure are shortness of breath that worsens over time, especially when doing activities or lying on your back.
Often the patient needs several head pads when sleeping so that the chest does not feel tight.
In addition, the patient will feel tired and energetic more quickly when doing activities, there is swelling in both legs, a full and enlarged stomach accompanied by nausea and decreased appetite, easy palpitations or rapid pulse movements, fainting easily, and experiencing coughing during night sleep or lying on your back.
Unfortunately, these symptoms sometimes do not occur in patients with early stage heart failure or in elderly patients who are less active.
Therefore, Easter suggests that people with heart failure immediately undergo a comprehensive examination to find out their condition.
He also explained that people with risk factors for heart failure should have their health checked so that heart failure can be minimized early if it has been detected.
