Chronic heart failure: Difference between revisions
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===Pathophysiology=== | ===Pathophysiology=== | ||
Heart failure is mostly caused by [[myocardial infarction]]. The | |||
===Risk Factors=== | ===Risk Factors=== | ||
===Clinical Features=== | ===Clinical Features=== | ||
Revision as of 15:54, 8 April 2009
Definition
This condition is a syndrome rather than a single pathological process. As such, it is defined by it's symptoms and signs.
Epidemiology
Two-thirds of heart failure is caused by coronary heart disease with the rest being caused by hypertension, arrhythmias or valvular disease. Congenital heart defects may also cause heart failure but these are much rarer.
Pathophysiology
Heart failure is mostly caused by myocardial infarction. The
Risk Factors
Clinical Features
The definitive features of heart failure are breathlessness or exhaustion on less than normal exertion OR at rest. Reduced heart function and associated changes in other organ systems are also used in the definition.