Cardiac Conditions

Left Heart failure – occurs when the left side of the heart cannot work at full capacity to push blood out to the rest of the body. This causes blood to be backed up and fluid to be built up in the lungs.

• Systolic failure (also known as heart failure with reduced ejection fraction or HFrEF) – occurs when the left ventricle cannot pump well (weak squeeze) indicated on an echo which shows a reduced ejection fraction, which is a measurement of the heart’s squeeze function. Normal ejection fraction should be about 55% to 65%.
• Diastolic failure (also known as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction or HFpEF) – occurs when the left ventricle cannot relax properly (stiff heart). It’s often caused by long standing high blood pressure. This causes increased muscle thickness and prevents the heart from relaxing properly. Finally, this reduces the amount of blood that can be pumped to the body.

Right Heart failure – most commonly occurs as a result of left heart failure but can also be caused by other diseases such as lung diseases like COPD. This causes blood to be backed up and fluid to build up in the feet, ankles, legs & abdomen.

• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
• Any conditions causing damage to the heart muscle
  • Previous or recent heart attacks
  • Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart)
  • Cardiomyopathy (stretching out of heart)
  • Alcohol abuse
• Certain medications like for cancer treatment
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Kidney Disease
• Long standing or severe lung disease
• Disease or defects of the heart valves
• Abnormal heart beats (arrhythmias)
• Sleep Apnea (sudden stoppage of breathing when one is sleeping)
• Birth defects of the heart
• Others:
  • Severe anemia
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Autoimmune

Note: Not everyone may experience all symptoms. Some might not experience any symptoms.