Heart Failure

Question 1

low output heart failure

Answer 1

pump is failing and not strong enough to pump blood around the body
e.g MI , valve defects (portion of blood being pumped out returns to ventricle reducing overall output)

Question 2

high output heart failure

Answer 2

demands of system have increased beyond capacity of heart
e.g anaemia - less O2 so more circulatory volume required to meet demands
less common

Question 3

congestive heart failure

Answer 3

both sides of heart are failing

Question 4

what is the most common type and side of heart failure

Answer 4

left low output heart failure

Question 5

signs of left sided heart failure

Answer 5

systolic and pulmonary effects
tachycardia - fast heart rate
low BP
dyspnoea - difficulty breathing - accumulation of blood in the lungs as L ventricle not pumping blood around body as efficiently so increased pulmonary BP

Question 6

signs of right sided heart failure

Answer 6

venous pressure elevated
blood not being pumped away from veins so pressure is elevated, causes fluid to move from veins to tissues leading to ankle oedema and poor absorption by the GIT
(higher the oedema the more severe the heart failure)

Question 7

symptoms of heart failure

Answer 7

shortness of breath
swelling of feet and legs
difficulty sleeping due to breathing problems
chronic lack of energy

Question 8

what ABCD drugs do definetly NOT help heart failure

Answer 8

Beta blockers