Swelling with heart failure
Content:
- Types of edema
- Swelling is the main symptom of heart failure
- Features of edema in heart failure
- Treatment
Types of edema
The accumulation of excess fluid in the tissues of the body as a result of disruption of the work of the main systems or organs leads to the formation of edema.
They are of the following types:
- hypoproteinemic - accompanied by a decrease in the content of proteins in the blood plasma, including albumin. Edema of this type, first of all, is formed where most of the loose connective tissue is concentrated, for example, on the face. Swelling appears in this case after sleeping around the eyes;
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membranogenic - formed when the permeability of the vessel walls increases. As a result, the blood plasma protein enters the intercellular space, which leads to an increase in pressure and the release of fluid from the blood vessels into the connective structures;
- hydrostatic - occur when the pressure in the capillaries increases. This swelling is the most common symptom of heart failure.
It develops as a result of the lack of treatment for certain diseases. If the heart is unable to pump the required volumes of blood, then the tissues and organs of the body are deprived of sufficient amounts of nutrients and oxygen. In this case, blood stagnation may occur in the venous bed. This is what leads to the formation of edema. They usually become the main symptom of heart failure, along with shortness of breath caused by lack of oxygen.
Swelling is the main symptom of heart failure
By the location of the edema, one can judge the nature of heart disease. In the area of the lungs, they occur if deviations in the work of the left ventricle are noticeable. The legs swell symmetrically in case of problems with the right ventricle. The degree and area of spread of the swelling is the greater, the more advanced the disease. In the initial stages, the ankles and feet swell, and then the hips. At first, the swelling becomes noticeable towards the end of the day. After a good rest, it passes and appears again only in the evening. If the disease is actively progressing, then soon the edema becomes permanent. It will not be possible to cope with them simply by resting.
It is important to pay attention in time to the fact that edema is formed regularly. This indicates heart failure, which means that it is necessary to identify the underlying disease and start treating it. Another symptom is shortness of breath, but it appears in the later stages of the development of the disease.
Features of edema in heart failure
The accumulation of fluid in the body can occur for various reasons. But when the formation of edema is due to heart failure, they differ in the following features:
- both legs swell symmetrically;
- the appearance of edema can last for a long time, sometimes they develop over several weeks or even months;
- if you press on the edema that forms in heart failure, a small fossa will appear, which will soon disappear;
- at first, edema occurs only on the legs, gradually spreading throughout the body;
- the swelling is dense to the touch;
- With abdominal edema (ascites) caused by heart failure, the liver may enlarge.
The doctor accurately diagnoses and determines the cause of the accumulation of fluid in the body, manifested in the form of swelling. But on your own, you can gently press on the skin in the area above the tibia. If a dent forms, which disappears after a few seconds, then there is a high probability of swelling. Moreover, it can be caused by both heart failure and some other problems in the body. To get rid of puffiness, you need to identify their cause.
The most common conditions leading to heart failure are:
- Arterial hypertension. This disease is a persistent increase in blood pressure for a long time. A significant part of the population suffers from it. Arterial hypertension is formed under the influence of a large number of different factors, the main of which is considered to be a hereditary predisposition. It leads to violations of the basic functions of the heart and the development of heart failure.
- Ischemic disease. It is caused by insufficient oxygen being supplied to the heart muscle. Ischemic disease may not appear for a long time or be accompanied by not too pronounced symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain. In most cases, it is accompanied by heart failure.
- Heart defects. They manifest themselves in the form of changes in the structure of the heart, which leads to disturbances in the circulatory system. Patients suffering from defects are characterized by a pale skin color, shortness of breath in such cases is a very common occurrence. If changes in the structure of the child's heart are congenital, then they begin to manifest themselves no earlier than 3 years of age. Heart failure is one of the manifestations of defects.
Treatment
Treatment of the underlying disease, the symptom of which is edema, will help to cope with them. You can also use products aimed at reducing swelling. It is necessary to reduce salt intake and reduce the amount of fluid you drink.
At the initial stages of the development of diseases, baths help. For their preparation, sea salt, birch leaves, herbal preparations: chamomile, mint, sage are used. The hot broth must be insisted, and then keep your feet in it for about half an hour.
In some cases, the use of diuretics is allowed. It can be both pharmaceutical preparations and folk remedies. Their mechanism of action is aimed at reducing the amount of fluid in the body, which helps to reduce swelling. Before using such funds, you should consult your doctor. Many of the drugs have contraindications. It is also important not to exceed the permissible dose. Drinks based on lingonberry, viburnum, herbal tea can be used as diuretics.
Author of the article: Lebedev Andrey Sergeevich | Urologist
Education: Diploma in the specialty "Andrology" received after completing residency at the Department of Endoscopic Urology of the Russian Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education in the urological center of the Central Clinical Hospital No. 1 of JSC Russian Railways (2007). Postgraduate studies were completed here by 2010.
