Heart Failure Complications
Heart Failure ComplicationsSkip to the navigationTopic OverviewEven if you are treating your
heart failure successfully, you may develop a
complication that can be serious and life-threatening. It is important to
identify complications of heart failure as soon as possible, because some can be
extremely serious conditions. You can discuss your complications with your
doctor and learn to take the proper steps to prevent them. The table
below outlines the complications of heart failure. Common complications of heart failureComplication | What is it? | What problems does it cause? |
|---|
| Atrial fibrillation | An irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) | - Can make heart failure
worse
- Greatly increases risk of stroke
- Can cause
palpitations
|
|---|
| Ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia | Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) | - Syncope
(fainting)
- Palpitations
- Sudden death
|
|---|
| Kidney failure | Reduced functioning of your kidneys | - Decreased urine
output
- Fatigue, poor appetite, lethargy
- Ultimately
life-threatening
|
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| Anemia | Decreased oxygen-carrying hemoglobin in red blood cells | - Weakness and fatigue
- May raise risk of problems linked to heart failure
|
|---|
| Stroke | Your brain is deprived of oxygen because its blood
supply has been significantly decreased or cut off. | - Loss of cognitive or motor
function
- Can be life-threatening
|
|---|
Heart valve condition | A leaky or tight valve reduces the efficiency of the heart's
pumping action. | - Makes heart failure worse
- Can
predispose to atrial fibrillation
- May need surgical repair
|
|---|
| Cardiac cachexia | Unintentional severe weight loss | - Can require supplemental
nutrition
- Can be life-threatening
|
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| Leg venous stasis and ulcers | Venous stasis: Your skin thickens and looks
shiny or scaly, your hair might also fall out, your skin may also turn brown or
reddish. Ulcers: Injuries to your swollen legs cause fluid to
constantly ooze out of cuts in your skin. | - Can predispose to cellulitis, infection
of the skin
|
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CreditsByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerRakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerStephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology Current as ofApril 3, 2017 Current as of:
April 3, 2017 Last modified on: 8 September 2017
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