Severe heart failure, or what we call acute heart failure, occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. This issue can happen suddenly and without warning, and it has many reasons, including:
1. Heart attack (heart attack): This is one of the most common causes. When blood is cut off from part of the heart muscle, this part is damaged and this weakens the heart’s ability to pump blood.
2. Heart rhythm disorders: If the heartbeat becomes too fast or too slow, this weakens blood flow and affects the heart, and this can cause a severe collapse.
3. High blood pressure: If high blood pressure is not controlled, it puts an extra burden on the heart muscle, and this can cause severe failure in its function.
4. Heart valve diseases: When the valves do not work well, the blood flows irregularly, which weakens the heart muscle and increases the possibility of severe heart failure.
5. Cardiomyopathy: such as enlargement or weakness of the heart muscle, which reduces the heart’s ability to pump blood, and increases the possibility of acute failure.
6. Acute infection: Such as myocarditis, infection damages and weakens the muscle, which affects blood pumping.
7. Chronic diseases: such as diabetes or chronic kidney disease, which gradually affect the heart and impair its performance.
8. Exposure to some medications or toxins: Some medications, especially those that affect the heart muscle, can cause severe weakness in the heart’s ability.
9. Smoking, drinking alcohol and drugs: These habits affect the health of the heart and arteries and increase the risk of severe heart failure.
Acute heart failure requires rapid medical intervention, because it can be life-threatening, and treatment depends on the main cause and the patient’s condition.
Dr. Tariq Helmy's team is always ready to receive all critical heart attack cases. It includes an elite group of critical care doctors and relies on the latest medical equipment to ensure the provision of the necessary care, whether through cardiac catheterization or major or limited surgical interventions.
