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Types of Heart Failure and Heart Disease

  • There are two different types of heart failure: systolic heart failure and diastolic heart failure
  • Heart failure can also be described based on which area of the heart isn’t operating properly (ex: congestive heart failure).
  • Treatment may call for surgery or medical devices. Some ways to avoid the problem include: maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding high amounts of salt, fats, cholesterol and alcohol


There are various types of heart failure and heart disease that plague people as they get older. The prevalence of heart failure is growing at an alarming rate and many people are unsure of what all of the medical terms surrounding the diagnosis of heart failure means. Here is a quick rundown of all of the types of heart failure that a person can be diagnosed with.

There are two different type of heart failure. Systolic heart failure is where the heart does not pump blood effectively causing less blood to be pumped with each beat of the heart. Diastolic heart failure, which is less common, is the inability of the heart to relax normally between each pump. The prevalence of heart failure in adults is the cause of many deaths around the world. Additionally, heart failure can also be described with one of the following terms which refer to area of the heart that is not operating properly: congestive heart failure; right-sided heart failure; left-sided heart failure; forward heart failure; backward heart failure; and high output heart failure.

Treatment of heart failure becomes a lifelong management issue. With the proper management, heart failure symptoms can lessen and the heart can grow stronger. If the doctor can find the underlying cause of the congenital heart failure, they may actually be able to cure the heart failure. Medication is the main method of treatment for heart failure and heart disease. It may require the patient to take more than one type of medicine in order to keep the symptoms under control.

Additional treatment of heart failure may require the use of surgery or medical devices. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, biventricular pacemakers, cardiac resynchronization therapy and heart pumps are all medical devices that may need to be used in order to help the patient cope with congenital heart failure. Some new experimental treatments have started to appear as options to the standard methods of treating heart disease and congenital heart failure. They include cardiac wrap surgery where the heart is wrapped in a mesh bag to prevent it from enlarging further. Ventricular restoration surgery is where doctors remove the scar tissue that has built up on the ventricular muscle and reshaping the healthy tissue to a more elliptical shape. Enhanced external counterpulsation is a non-invasive technique where pressure cuffs are placed on the calves, thighs, and buttocks that help increase the blood flow back to the heart.

Of course, heart failure and heart disease can be prevented and can help relieve the symptoms of the disease. Many of the preventative techniques used are ones that require lifestyle changes. If you are a smoker, quitting is the best thing you can do for your heart. If you should need a heart transplant, you will not be eligible for one if you continue to smoke. Weighing yourself daily and reporting any unusual weight gain to your doctor is a must. Maintaining a healthy weight is important as extra weight can tax your heart. Restrict the amount of salt, fats, cholesterol and alcohol in your diet. Daily exercise will also help keep the heart pumping properly and keep the blood vessels open.

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The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.

One Response to “Types of Heart Failure and Heart Disease”

  1. 1
    Boris Says:
    I have a close friend whose daughter was born with heart problems. They didn't expect her to live much past three years old. She's ten years old today and healthy and active. Finding a good heart doctor when you are diagnosed with heart failure and heart disease makes a big difference.