Heart Failure

Watch this video to learn how the heart muscle weakens with heart failure, and how heart failure affects your body.

Understand the importance of keeping to a daily medication routine and learn a few strategies to keeping your medications organized.

Know the signs and symptoms that signal you should contact your healthcare provider.

About 6 million Americans are currently living with heart failure. In fact, it's one of the most common reasons people 65 and older go into the hospital. Heart failure is a long-term (chronic) condition, but it can be treated. Getting good medical care and following your treatment plan will help you have the best quality of life. You can help by taking your medications as prescribed and following your eating and exercise plans. © AHA

What does ejection fraction measure? Ejection fraction (EF) shows how well your heart is pumping out blood and in diagnosing and tracking heart failure.

Disorders in the heart's electrical system can lead to arrhythmias, or an abnormal heart rhythm. Some arrhythmias can be life threatening and require an electrical shock to return the heart to a normal rhythm. Patients who are at risk for sudden cardiac death may require an implantable cardiac defibrillator or ICD, which can deliver a life-saving shock if the heart starts to beat too fast or in a chaotic pattern.