Why does heart failure cause edema?

Written by Wei Shi Liang
Intensive Care Unit
Updated on September 09, 2024
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Edema caused by heart failure is mainly due to heart dysfunction, resulting in systemic circulation, venous congestion, and excessive fluid accumulation in the body's tissue spaces. The primary cause is right heart failure or total heart failure, and some special cases of pericarditis. The edema caused by this type of heart failure is often symmetrical, indenting, and sagging, and usually worsens with activity and lessens with rest. The common locations for fluid accumulation are in the sacral and perineal areas, while bedridden patients often show it in the ankle area. In severe cases, patients may experience generalized edema, and even develop ascites and pleural effusion. This condition is known as heart failure, and the type of edema it causes is called cardiogenic edema.

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Written by Wei Shi Liang
Intensive Care Unit
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Causes of acute heart failure include

Most patients with acute heart failure have a history of heart disease, and the common causes mainly include: 1. Acute myocardial necrosis or damage, such as acute coronary syndrome, peripartum cardiomyopathy, and myocardial damage caused by drugs or toxins, including sepsis-induced myocardial damage. 2. Acute exacerbation of chronic heart failure due to infection or other stressful factors. 3. Acute hemodynamic changes, mainly including conditions like cardiac tamponade, hypertensive crisis, aortic dissection, and acute valvular regurgitation, all of which can lead to acute heart failure.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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How is acute heart failure treated?

Acute heart failure presents with significant respiratory distress and symptoms of hypoxia. Immediate intervention is necessary to alleviate breathing difficulties. Clinically, the following measures are generally adopted: First, position the patient to sit up with legs dangling to decrease venous return to the heart. Second, administer high-flow oxygen through a nasal cannula, and if necessary, proceed with endotracheal intubation and ventilator support. Third, administer morphine subcutaneously or intravenously to reduce agitation and myocardial oxygen demand. Fourth, use rapid diuretics, such as furosemide. Fifth, utilize vasodilators such as nitroglycerin or nitroprusside. Sixth, use positive inotropic agents such as dopamine or dobutamine as appropriate. Seventh, employ digitalis drugs, but avoid use in acute myocardial infarction within the first 24 hours. Eighth, consider using an intra-aortic balloon pump or other cardiopulmonary support systems, etc., and after stabilization of acute heart failure, further treat the underlying cause, etc. (Use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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Causes of vomiting in heart failure

Heart failure in clinical practice can be divided into left heart failure, right heart failure, and total heart failure. The symptoms of left heart failure primarily manifest as pulmonary congestion, including varying degrees of dyspnea, cough, coughing up pink frothy sputum, palpitations, fatigue, etc. As for right heart failure, it mainly shows as gastrointestinal congestion, with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, etc. Once heart failure symptoms appear, the patient must seek medical attention promptly, actively treat the primary disease, correct the symptoms and signs of heart failure, and then avoid excessive physical activity, infections, and other triggers that could exacerbate heart failure.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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Which department should I go to for heart failure?

Heart failure primarily includes left heart failure, right heart failure, and total heart failure. Patients should visit the cardiology outpatient clinic. Left heart failure mainly manifests as pulmonary congestion, which can cause varying degrees of breathing difficulty, coughing, expectoration of pink frothy sputum, palpitations, and fatigue. Right heart failure primarily appears as liver congestion and other symptoms related to the digestive system, such as nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Total heart failure includes symptoms of both left heart failure and right heart failure, and medical attention should be sought promptly after the onset of heart failure.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
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Is acute heart failure dangerous?

Acute heart failure is very dangerous in clinical practice. It is mainly caused by a sudden decrease in cardiac output, leading to insufficient perfusion in tissues and organs and acute blood stasis syndrome. The main clinical symptoms include severe respiratory distress, often accompanied by restlessness, profuse sweating, frequent coughing with pink frothy sputum, and in severe cases, sudden cardiac and respiratory arrest can occur. After the occurrence of acute heart failure, effective measures should be taken to alleviate symptoms such as respiratory distress. The most effective methods in clinical practice include strengthening the heart, promoting diuresis, and dilating blood vessels.