Heart Failure and Its Causes - Research Paper Example

Task: Heart Failure Introduction Heart failure is a leading diagnostic condition common with the ages of 65 years and older,with the number increasing annually. The malfunction is a complex syndrome as apparent in the inability of the heart to push blood around the body (Krum and Gilbert 147). This is a severe case of illness since the body is dependent on the heart’s pumping capacity to replenish its cells with oxygen. In heart failure, both ventricles are damaged and their muscles weaken and, therefore, cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s requirement. Normally, chronic heart diseases are accompanied by other health complications that contribute to the weakening of the coronary muscles and eventual failure. This indicates that the heart’s pumping capacity is weaker than usual (Henderson 1). Thus, the blood flows at a slower rate throughout the body. Through this, the blood fails to distribute sufficient oxygen to satisfy the bodily needs. Overtime, the main pumping chambers, which are the ventricles, stretch, since they hold too much blood because they cannot efficiently pump it throughout the body (Nicholson 24). This disease is becoming prevalent in the contemporary world and seems also to affect minor persons to the extent of being put on machines to assist in their hearts pump. This paper will examine the causes and implications of this deadly disease and offer insight on how one can identify its symptoms. Causes of Heart Failure Establishing the cause of heart failure (HF) can be complex. Sometimes the clinical examinations can contribute little or insignificant results to determining the symptoms. Therefore, it is crucial to fully research for potential clues in the patient’s medical history. The initiators of heart failure are several and are capable of reducing the functionality of an individual substantially. It is vital to try to acknowledge the causes of HF for health reasons. The predominant causes include coronary artery disease, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, and faulty heart valves among others (Nicholson 25). It is important to establish the elements that influence HF, since the clinical examinations fail to determine clearly the causes. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Nicholson (95) asserts that CAD is most common as the initiator of HF among the elderly persons. It is dependent on the dietary intake of the individuals. In particular, CAD involves the accumulation of fats along the artery walls, which causes the narrowing of the arteries. Atherosclerosis is the process when fats build up on arteries lining, which leads to narrowing of coronary muscles. Over time, the narrow arteries cause weakening of the heart muscles and deprivation of ample oxygen for bodily functions (Nicholson 95). However, it is difficult to discover this disease in its initial stages, since its effects are experienced after years. If the CAD advances, it can rupture the arteries, since the pressure built-up will be too much. In addition, it brings about clotting of blood, which limits the blood flow in the body. As the disease progresses, it will be ultimately fatal, since the arteries will undergo near blockage. Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Primarily, blood pressure entails the energy that pushes the blood through the body vessels. If the blood vessels become narrow, it is difficult for blood to move through the veins (Krum and Gilbert 148). Increase of blood pressure illustrates that the heart has to pump harder to circulate the blood. In essence, this implies the heart is working beyond its possibilities, which is disadvantageous for it. Cardiomyopathy According to Nicholson, this is the damage to the heart muscles from other causes rather than artery or blood flow (30). It is believed the potential cause of cardiomyopathy can be excessive alcohol or drug abuse. Apparently, alcohol can have an exceedingly toxic impact on the coronary muscles, altering their cellular structure. Furthermore, overexposure of the cells to alcohol can destroy their health, making them less efficient (Nicholson 30). Considering this, exposure of the muscles to alcohol elements will affect their performance. Who does Heart Failure Mostly Affect and Why Heart failure (HF) can develop at an early age, but it becomes more common in older persons (Nicholson 238). Evidently, when an individual’s age advances, his or her body tends to reduce its performance capacity. According to Krum and Gilbert, advancing age causes lowering of the immune capabilities of the body, so it becomes difficult for their bodies to counter these complications (148). Therefore, their body systems are slow in responding to the accumulation of the fats in their bodies. Moreover, the elderly are slow and not active as young persons, hence the fat that would be used in creating energy for their movement is deposited in the arteries (Krum and Gilbert 148). The agility of the young ensures the fatty deposits on their arteries are minimal. Additionally, it is easier for young persons to exercise in attempts to lower their body fats. Role of Diet in Heart Failure Research has been ongoing on the relationship of diet and HF for decades. It is clear that cholesterol is responsible for the increase of fats in human bodies. As Henderson indicates, “What you eat can have a big impact on the health of your heart” (1). Researchers assert there is a correlation of saturated fat, cholesterol and fatty acids in their contribution to coronary failure. Diets consisting of low fats indicate a lesser probability of experiencing heart failure. Continuous deposits of the fats on the heart bring about atherosclerosis. In past decades, the consumption of fats has been the principal focus on the dietary role of HF. It is a public perception that obesity is a potential condition for heart failure. Ironically, it is not the amount but the type of fats that contributes largely to eventual weakening of the heart. Inclusion of fatty foods in one’s daily feeding will surely elevate their risks of suffering HF complications in future. Henderson suggests that eating lots of sugars and carbohydrates increases the risks of HF (1). The symptoms of this disease do not present themselves until late in the individual’s life. Furthermore, physicians indicate that excessive consumption of alcohol can be detrimental to an individual’s health. Alcohol contains toxins that impair the heart muscles, causing significant damage to them. Though it is not known what categories of alcohol can have this effect, drinking excessively affects the ventricular muscles. Nicholson indicates, “Patients with a history of alcohol abuse can develop a particular type of heart failure known as alcoholic cardiomypathy” (30). Another dietary factor influencing HF is smoking, which reduces the efficiency of the body system through limiting the lungs’ intake of oxygen. Thus, the insufficient oxygen amounts limit the heart’s ability to pump actively, straining it further. In time, the strenuous efforts of the heart will cause it to dilate and weaken. Prevention of Heart Failure Heart failure is preventable if the affected persons and potential victims commit to effectively managing their heart conditions and enhancing their quality of life. First, the patients can indulge in daily exercises but avoid the extremely tiring ones. Exercises challenge the heart to increase blood flow and spread energy throughout the body. Regardless of an individual’s age, exercise can sufficiently induce energy into his or her bodies and, more importantly, the heart (Henderson 1). In addition, the exercises increase absorption of oxygen by the body cells, thus making the heart energetic. Secondly, the patients can modify their diets by taking foods that have low cholesterol content. Such effort will assist in diminishing the deposits of fats in the arterial walls, thus minimizing likelihood of coronary failure. Additionally, restraint from excessive alcohol will be beneficial in averting the effects of its toxins on the cellular structure of the coronary muscles. Henderson implies abstaining from smoking is another approach that individuals can adopt to prevent the harmful implications of heart failure (1). Subsequently, eating a varied diet assists in developing the muscles of the heart. Finally, evading stressful situations also assists in mitigating occurrences of heart failure. Efficiency of the Present Screening Tools for Detecting the Disease The present screening tools for detecting heart diseases mainly focus on the examination of cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Detecting heart attack is strenuous, since the disease has diverse risk factors, which include age, lineage history, overweight, increased blood pressures, diabetic conditions and increased levels of cholesterol. Examining all these factors is challenging, and this undermines the efficiency of the methods used in detecting the disease. Indeed, McDonagh notes that common methods used in the management of this disease have considerable setbacks and, therefore, their reliability is questionable (34). Importantly, the efficiency of the current screening tools is highly limited by the consideration that most of these tools fail to discover the disease at its premature stages. A prime method of examining cardiovascular disease is the standard lipid scheme that characterizes levels of the total cholesterol, Triglycerides, LDL Cholesterol and the HDL cholesterol. However, McDonagh observes that this method is unreliable, since it fails to detect all elements that lead to heart attack (196). Professionals have identified the challenge emerging due to this condition and, therefore, mostly recommend for an electrocardiogram when patients present clinical symptoms like chest pain. Similarly, Harris discredits this effort by noting that an electrocardiogram detects the condition when one of the main arteries that feed the heart has a blockage of above 70%; yet about 80% of the heart attack happens when there is less than 70% of obstruction (47). Evidently, such a model is not effective in detecting early heart disease, so its applicability is limited. Early Detection and Quality of Life Early detection provides an ideal strategy of addressing challenges that emerge with the heart attack. In fact, McDonagh guides that successful management of this disease must entail a strategy that promotes early detection and treatment (168). According to Krum and Gilbert, early detection is likely to make patients develop an attitude that they can manage their condition by increasing their exercise plans, adjusting their dietary and discarding risky habits (148). By the virtue that heart attack is a disease that is strongly influenced by eating habits and other lifestyle-based activities, a strategy that promotes lifestyle change would be very effective. Indeed, McDonagh affirms the increase in the number of heart attack cases in the contemporary society is attributable to the lifestyle (56). Consequently, Nicholson claims that unless the society becomes conscious of lifestyle and maintains a good track of their health status, the problem of heart attack will persist (113). Indeed, Harris observes that many patients remain ignorant of their health only to understand their conditions after the disease has elevated to unmanageable levels (90). This states the necessity of promoting early detection as an ideal strategy of managing the disease. Additionally, Harris observes that early detection would help caregivers to structure tactical procedures that would manage the disease effectively (104). For instance, studies have identified that patient at early stages can effectively counter the problem of heart attack by adopting plans which are sensitive to factors such as smoking, obesity, exercise, hypertension and cholesterol (Henderson 1). Consequently, McDonagh advocates that testing should be encouraged, particularly of individuals who present symptoms that indicate heart problems such as chest, arm or neck pains, persistent indigestions or abdominal uneasiness (16). Indeed, future efforts should target developing a standard and harmonized screening tool that could detect the disease in an effective manner while it is in early stages. Evidently, early detection provides an ultimate solution to the problem of heart attacks, thus enhancing the efficiency of the approach in bettering the quality of life. In-home Nursing Care vs. Hospital Care The nature of the heart attack disease demands an in-home care program. Heart attacks do not have a straightforward procedure, and the disease is manageable through a prolonged procedure that entails a lifestyle change and restructuring of feeding habits. Evidently, retaining patients in hospitals for such long periods appears an irrational practice. This discredits the applicability of hospital-based approaches of managing the disease. According to Harris, a home-based system provides patients with an opportunity of managing their conditions by their own (15). This is essential, since an individual in such a model accepts his or her condition and works to overcome it – an attribute that promotes cooperation. He or she supports the necessity of this practice by stating that moving care to homes builds comfort and convenience, thus aiding the healing process. Furthermore, Harris notes that a home-based care is typically less expensive compared with the hospital-based; therefore, home-care reduces the financial burden for patients and their families (134). Since experienced professional can visit patients and provide them with the necessary guidance, burdening patients with hospital bills makes no sense. Conclusion Heart attack is a disease that demands serious attention, since remaining ignorant to the challenges presented by the condition is detrimental to the society. Heart attack is mainly caused by factors such as CRD, hypertension and cardiomyopathy. Individuals at their old age have high risks of facing the attack, since they have weak immunities. Importantly, the current tools used in screening the disease are not very effective. Therefore, the society should strategize on developing early detection schemes and apply in-home care systems in managing the disease. Works Cited Harris, Marilyn D. Handbook of Home Health Care Administration. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett, 2010. Print. Henderson, Roger . “Diet and Heart Health.” Netdoctor. 2011.Web. 12 July 2012. Krum, Henry, and Richard Gilbert. "Demographics and Concomitant Disorders in Heart Failure." Lancet 362.9378 (2003): 147. Academic Search Premier. Web. 12 July 2012. McDonagh, Theresa A. Oxford Textbook of Heart Failure. Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press, 2011. Print. Nicholson, Christopher. Heart Failure: A Clinical Nursing Handbook. Chichester, West Sussex: John Wiley, 2007. Print. Read More