Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump blood efficiently, leading to insufficient circulation. This can lead to shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid retention. Management includes medications, lifestyle modifications, and, in some cases, surgeries to improve heart function and quality of life. The assessment of the Polygenic Risk Score for heart failure is based on the examination of 11 gene polymorphisms.
Genetic testing for heart failure is included along with 14 other diseases in the Genetic Screening for Cardiovascular and Respiratory Diseases, Polygenic Risk Score.
Causes and non-genetic risk factors
The leading cause of heart failure is weakness, damage, or stiffness of the heart. Factors that can lead to this include:
- Older age.
- Coronary artery disease: this is the most common cause of heart failure and results from the accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries that reduce their diameter.
- Hypertension: high blood pressure forces the heart to exert more effort.
- Previous heart attack: damage to the heart muscle as a result of a heart attack can lead to subsequent pumping problems.
- Heart valve disease
- Cardiac arrhythmias. These can weaken the heart muscle.
- Diabetes increases the risk of hypertension and coronary artery disease.
- Sleep apnea: Lowering oxygen levels due to sleep apnea leads to an increased risk of irregular heartbeats and coronary weakness.
- Obesity.
- Certain infections.
- Alcohol or drug use.
- Medications: some drugs, such as rosiglitazone or NSAIDs, can cause heart failure in some people.
Symptoms
Symptoms usually develop slowly, although, on some occasions, they may appear suddenly. Symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath, fatigue, and weakness.
- Swelling due to fluid retention in the lower extremities
- Tachycardia
- Chronic cough
- Weight gain due to fluid retention
- Nausea and lack of appetite
- Difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness
Prevention
Heart failure is often the result of other conditions that cause it, so prevention involves controlling these pathologies. Among them, as described above, are coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.
In addition, there are also lifestyle actions that can help reduce the risk, such as not smoking, practicing regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and controlling stress.
