The heart is the power generator for the body that allows for blood, oxygen and nutrients to be sent to different organs. When the heart malfunctions and is unable to perform this task, this condition is known as heart failure. This might be due to factors such as previous infections, increased oxygen demand from respiratory conditions, previous heart attacks and coronary artery blockage that does not allow adequate blood flow. Heart failure can lead to further complications that can affect the patient.
Liver and Lymphatic Blockage
When the heart is unable to pump the blood, a backup of blood forms within the lungs. This flows backwards into the liver through the central veins, causing it to become enlarged, known as hepatomegaly. The liver becoms swollen with red spots scattered on its surface. This is painful for the patient and it leads to buildup within the body system as the liver is unable to perform its functions including drug detoxification.
Gravity pulls down the excess blood volume into the lower regions like the legs, and they become swollen. This is called pitting edema, as an indentation is formed when the physician presses against the legs.
Lungs
Blood flows backward into the lungs when the heart is unable to pump it out to the circulation system. This occurs at night when the patient is lying down horizontally and poses great problems with breathing. There is shortness of breath experienced known as dyspnea which finds the patient gasping for air. Pulmonary edema (swelling) results from the buildup of blood that develops within the lungs. The lungs become congested and there is formation of heart failure cells within the lungs known as hemosiderin.
Heart Sounds
Heart failure causes the development of some abnormal heart sounds. There is a heart sound known as S3 which develops in adults as a result of the excess buildup of blood. This heart sound becomes more pronounced when there is deep inspiration, or when the patient takes a deep breath. The excess blood buildup also increases pressure within the heart by hitting against the heart walls. This results in an elevation of pressure, and causes an S4 heart sound to form. A physician can hear these sounds while performing a physical exam on a patient with heart failure.
Ultimately heart failure can lead to a stroke and death as the brain gets deprived of oxygen and is unable to function.
