Dr Ruth Kam is a reputed cardiologist at Ruth Kam Heart and Arrhythmia Clinic in Singapore. Here, she has shared a useful powerpoint presentation on symptoms, causes & treatments of heart failure which is very beneficial to heart patients. Want to know more about treatments for heart failure? visit http://www.arrhythmia.com.sg/info_heart_failure.html

1. Symptoms, Causes & Treatments of
Heart Failure

2.  In medical terms heart failure is defined as the
condition when heart is unable to pump enough
blood required for normal body functions.
 Human body needs sufficient amount of oxygen
which is supplied by heart through blood. Heart
failure is a serious condition and needs immediate
medical care.
What is Heart Failure?

3.  Difficulty in breathing particularly on exertion such
as climbing stairs, walking and doing housework.
 Legs, ankles and abdomen get swollen due to the
accumulation of water
 A lethargic and weak feeling
What are the Symptoms?

4.  Difficulty in sleeping
 A feeling of breathlessness when lying down (lungs
get congested on lying down because of the back
damming effect). This condition is medically termed
as pulmonary edema. This condition is inevitable
since the patient can get collapsed anytime.

5. The major causes of this ailment includes:
 CHD or coronary heart disease
 High blood pressure
 Diabetes
What are the Causes of Heart Failure?

6.  It is a condition in which a wax like substance known as
plaque is developed inside the coronary arteries. These are
the arteries which supply oxygen-rich blood to the cardiac
muscles.
 Due to this substance the arteries becomes narrower
which results into improper blood flow to the heart
muscles. In such a condition there is a high possibility of
blood clots formation inside the arteries. This can
partially or completely block the blood flow.
Coronary Heart Disease

7.  CHD can result into chronic chest pain or discomfort
also known as angina, a heart damage, a heart
attack, or even death.

8.  When the force of blood is applied against the walls
of the arteries, such a condition is termed as high
blood pressure.
 If the force rises and stays longer it can affect your
heart by weakening it. It can also lead to plaque
buildup.
High Blood Pressure

9.  It is an ailment in which glucose level in blood
increases.
 Food breaks down into glucose which is carried by
the blood to the cells.
 A hormone called insulin is used by the cells to turn
glucose into energy.
 If a patient is diagnosed with diabetes, body cells are
unable to produce sufficient amount of insulin.
Diabetes

10.  High blood sugar levels can weaken and damage the
cardiac muscles and the blood vessels around the
heart which can ultimately result into heart failure.

11. List of the Heart Failure Treatments:
Medication is the first line of treatment for heart
failure. The drugs include the following:
 Diuretics (frusemide, spironolactone, metolazone)
 Beta blockers (bisoprolol, carvedilol, metoprolol,
nebivolol)
Treatments

12.  ACE inhibitors (captopril, enalapril, ramipril,
peridopril)
 Angiotensin receptor blockers (candesartan,
valsartan, losartan, irbesartan)
 Digoxin
 Nitrates

13. Cardiac dysrhythmia or arrhythmias is a condition
which leads to abnormal heart activity i.e. heart
beats are either too fast or too slow. This can be
cured through pacemaker implantation and ablation.
Correction of valve disease or congenital defects
through surgery are also be performed before the
condition gets serious.

14. If medication or other means fail to improve the
condition, left ventricular assist devices and / or
heart transplantation is opted.
For patients in cardiogenic shock, ECMO
(extracorporeal membrane oxygenator) therapy is
given to stabilize the condition temporarily.

15. About Doctor
Dr Ruth Kam
Cardiologist
MBBS (Singapore)
MRCP (Int Med) (UK)
M Med (Int Med)
(Singapore),
FAMS (Cardiology), FRCP
(Edin)

16. Address: Ruth Kam Heart and Arrhythmia Clinic, 290
Orchard Road, #14-10 Paragon, Singapore 238859
Tel: +65 63333 6866
Fax: +65 63333 6266
24Hrs Answering Service: +65 6535 8833
Email: rk@arrhytmia.com.sg
Website: http://www.arrhythmia.com.sg
Contact info

17. We are open:
Mon – Fri: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Sat: 8:30 am to 1 pm
Operating Hours