What is Heart Failure?

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Cardiothoracic Surgery

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Heart failure occurs when the heart is not strong enough to effectively pump blood to the rest of the body. As the heart struggles to work harder, it may become enlarged. Fluid may build up in other parts of the body, resulting in swelling of the feet and ankles and causing fluid to collect in the lungs. Patients with advanced heart failure report shortness of breath and feel tired when they exert themselves.

The team at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital features specialists with exceptional experience in treating patients with all stages of heart failure.

Heart failure may be treated with drugs such as:

ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors, which help blood vessels dilate and help the body eliminate excess water, lowering the amount of work the heart has to do
beta blockers, sometimes used with ACE inhibitors, may slow heart rate and relax thickened heart muscle
digitalis, which increases the force of each heart beat and slows a heart rate that is too fast
diuretics, which help the body eliminate excess water and reduce blood pressure
investigational therapies, such as stem cell and gene therapies

When heart failure continues to progress despite these treatments, tissues throughout the body fail to receive the nutrients and oxygen that they require. Over time, this can cause organ failure.

The left ventricle is the chamber responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the aorta for transport to the rest of the body. Ventricular assist devices (VADs) help heart failure patients by taking on the workload of the left ventricle, helping the heart to pump oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. As a result, all tissues and organs receive the blood supply they need to do their jobs, and the patient feels better.