Heart failure (HF) is a medical condition in which the heart muscle does not pump enough blood. One of the major causes of reduction in heart’s ability to pump blood is coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart attack. However, faulty heart valves, chronic blood pressure, or genetic disease can also be a cause of HF.
Dr. Daljeet Kaur Saggu, Senior Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, AIG Hospital, Hyderabad says, “The body depends on the heart’s pumping action to deliver oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to the body’s cells. With HF, the weakened heart can’t supply the cells with enough blood. This results in fatigue and shortness of breath, and some people experience excessive coughing. Everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or carrying groceries can become very difficult. According to the Indian Heart Association, 50 percent of heart failure in Indian men occurs under 50 years of age and women have high mortality rates from cardiac disease.”
