Heart Failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump as much blood as the body requires. This ineffective pumping can lead to enlargement of the heart as the myocardium works harder pump the same amount of blood. Heart failure may be caused by defects in the myocardium, such as an a heart attack infarct, or due to structural issues such as severe heart valve regurgitation. Heart failure can be divided into HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The disease is further divided into four New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes. Stage IV heart failure is when the heart is completely failing and requires a heart transplant or hemodynamic support from a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

RSS icon
Thumbnail

Heart damage related to COVID-19 detected in 2-month-old infant

A 12-lead electrocardiogram revealed clear signs of myocardial injury related to COVID-19 and symptoms of heart failure.

Thumbnail

Standing up for your health: Research links sedentary behavior with heart failure risk among older women

“Our message is simple: sit less and move more,” one researcher said. 

Thumbnail

Empagliflozin improves outcomes for non-diabetic HFrEF patients

Treatment with empagliflozin for six months was associated with several key improvements. This suggests that, yes, SGLT2 inhibitors can be recommended for HFrEF patients who don't have diabetes. 

Risk of death nearly doubles when hospitalized COVID-19 patients have a history of heart failure

A history of heart failure was also associated with longer lengths of stay and an increased risk of mechanical ventilation.

covid-19 coronavirus

Myocarditis may be less common among COVID-19 patients than previously believed

Researchers reviewed autopsy data from 22 different studies, sharing their findings in Cardiovascular Pathology.

Thumbnail

Cardiologists uncover a new way to reverse heart damage—no transplant or lifelong LVAD use required

The research, published in Circulation, focused on the combination of pharmacologic therapy and the temporary use of a left ventricular assist device.

Thumbnail

U.S. heart failure data includes encouraging signs, reasons for concern

The analysis, published in JAMA Network Open, included data from nearly 1.8 million Medicare patients. 

Thumbnail

Catheter ablation improves LVEF, boosts survival for heart failure patients with atrial fibrillation

Catheter ablation was consistently linked to more substantial LVEF improvements than pharmacological therapy.

Displaying 409 - 416 of 1270

Around the web

Health Imaging
Use of AI opportunistic screening in CT for cardiovascular disease

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.

Health Imaging
New imaging protocols proposed to curb rise of cardiovascular infections

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.