What should you know about ESC heart failure?

Heart failure means the heart is not pumping or filling well enough for the body’s needs. Fluid can build up, causing breathlessness, cough or swollen ankles. Many people also notice fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance or palpitations. Heart failure is a common presentation of impaired heart function; these symptoms alone do not establish the diagnosis.

Assessment may include blood pressure, an examination, an electrocardiogram, blood tests, chest imaging and an echocardiogram. The team considers whether hypertension, atrial fibrillation, valve disease or previous heart muscle injury is contributing.

Attend a structured review so your clinician can check symptoms, blood pressure, kidney function, heart rhythm and response to medicines. Take medicines on schedule and ask before stopping them, even when you feel better. Keep a record of new breathlessness, ankle swelling, dizziness and changes in daily activity.

Your plan may include medicines, advice about salt and fluids, activity suited to your capacity, and treatment of related conditions. A chronic disease review can help coordinate monitoring and adjustments. Ask which symptoms should be reported between appointments.

Call emergency services for severe breathlessness at rest, chest pressure, fainting, blue lips, new confusion or sudden collapse. Seek urgent clinical advice for quickly increasing swelling, a rapid change in breathing, or palpitations with dizziness.

Do not wait for a routine appointment if symptoms are worsening over hours or you cannot lie flat because of breathlessness. Bring your medicines or an up-to-date list to urgent assessment.

Ask which type of heart failure you have, what your tests show, how each medicine helps, and what monitoring is required. Ask how to adjust activity, salt or fluids, when to contact the team, and whether rhythm or blood-pressure treatment needs review.