Definition: Heart failure does not mean the heart stops beating. Instead, the heart pumps less efficiently, which means the body does not get enough oxygen-rich blood, and fluid may back up in the lungs. For most patients this is a chronic condition that can be treated, but not cured.
Severity: Heart disease is the most common reason for hospitalization in Canadians older than 65. The Heart and Stroke Foundation says nearly 80,000 people die each year in Canada as a result of heart disease or stroke. With the rise in the average age of the population, heart failure has become more prevalent.
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Specialized care: Only a few hospitals in Canada offer the specialized service of congestive heart failure clinics that are abundant in the United States. Elderly patients with CHF who are discharged are often readmitted within one month, says Scarborough Hospital, which has a clinic. These readmissions are mainly due to misunderstandings about medications and treatments.
Symptoms: Shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, dry cough and swelling in the legs and feet.
Causes: Anything that damages the heart muscle, such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, heart valve disease, cardiac infections, and drug or alcohol abuse.
