Pathophysiology
Heart Failure
Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the metabolic needs of tissues.
Left-Sided vs. Right-Sided
- Left-sided: Dyspnea, crackles, cough, orthopnea
- Right-sided: Peripheral edema, JVD, hepatomegaly
- Both: Fatigue, activity intolerance, weight gain
Pharmacotherapy
- ACE inhibitors/ARBs to decrease afterload
- Loop diuretics (furosemide) to reduce fluid volume
- Beta-blockers to decrease cardiac workload
- Digoxin to improve contractility
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