When the heart cannot pump enough oxygenated blood to the body’s organs, heart failure occurs. Heart failure affects nearly 5 million Americans.

There are many causes of heart failure. Among them are heart valve disease, high blood pressure, infections of the heart valves and/or heart muscle, previous heart attack, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease and diabetes.

When heart failure occurs, the kidneys’ function is compromised, resulting in swelling of the ankles and legs. Fluid can also collect in the lungs, causing shortness of breath.

There are several ways to treat heart failure. Among these treatments are

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• controlling risk factors
• medication
• pacemaker / implantable cardioverter defibrillator
• heart transplantation
• ventricular assist devices (VADs)

Read more about heart failure:

• Heart Failure and Diabetes Risk in Women
• Low Potassium Levels Linked To Increased Long-Term Mortality In Heart Failure Patients
• Race Alone Not a Factor in Heart Failure

Or, visit our Heart Health Library:

• Heart Failure
• Heart Transplantation

UAB Healthcast:

• The Left Ventricular Assist Device and Mr. Boggin
• Change of Heart
• Transplant Patient is Flying High
• Ron Council
• Ron Council's ICD
• Implantable Heart Monitor
• UAB grad Student Goes to Class