Heart failure vs Heart attack - Key differences you need to know

THERE is often confusion among the public concerning heart failure, with many mistakenly associating it with a heart attack.

Pantai Hospital Ayer Keroh Cardiologist Dr Mohd Al-Baqlish Mohd Firdaus said heart failure is a condition where the heart fails to pump oxygenated blood adequately to vital organs in the body.

"It is one of the complications of a heart attack.

“However, not all heart failure patients have had a heart attack," he said.

He said patients typically show several symptoms when experiencing heart failure.

Here are the six main symptoms of this condition:

1. Difficulty breathing or fatigue, especially during strenuous activities and daily tasks.
2. Swelling in both legs.
3. Sleeping in a sitting position or needing more than one pillow.
4. Often waking up at night due to difficulty breathing.
5. Palpitations or a fast heartbeat.
6. Coughing with frothy and red-tinged sputum.

Complications of Coronary Heart Disease

Dr Al-Baqlish said that the majority of patients with this disease experience it due to complications from coronary heart disease.

"Sometimes, patients are found to have it after the doctor confirms they have heart failure. However, coronary heart disease is not the only cause," he added.

Among the main reasons mentioned by Dr Al-Baqlish are heart valve problems (valvular heart disease), issues with the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), and irregular heart rhythms.

He said that this condition can also occur due to the long-term effects of cancer treatment or implications from alcohol intake.

People may also experience heart failure due to inflammation of the heart muscle and thyroid problems.

Who is at High Risk for These Issues?

To answer this question, the expert explained that high-risk groups include:

• Individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
• Those with a family history of heart failure.
• People with excess weight and obesity issues.
• Smokers and those who do not follow a healthy lifestyle.
• Men and women who have undergone menopause.
• Older individuals.