What is heart failure?
Heart failure is a combination of signs and symptoms that result from a weakened heart not pumping enough blood throughout the body. Heart failure can take several years to develop and will worsen if not treated.
Heart failure is a combination of signs and symptoms that result from a weakened heart not pumping enough blood throughout the body. Heart failure can take several years to develop and will worsen if not treated.
Depending on how weak the heart is or how well heart failure is controlled, symptoms may range from mild to severe.
Common symptoms include:
Other symptoms may include:
If appropriate, your physician will refer you to the Heart Failure Clinic at Parkview Heart Institute.
Health conditions that lead to additional “wear and tear” on the heart may cause heart failure to develop. These conditions include:
Heart failure is among the illnesses in a broader category known as heart disease. Heart disease is a chronic illness that can start in childhood and continue throughout one’s lifetime. Many of the same risk factors that increase the chance of developing heart disease in general also make developing heart failure more likely.
Uncontrollable risk factors include:
Risk factors that you can control through lifestyle or medical treatment include:
At the Heart Failure Clinic, the care team will determine the best treatment options for you. Recommended treatment will depend on your medical history, a physical exam and how advanced your condition is currently. Treatment is often addressed through these approaches:
Typical medications for heart failure include:
Diet Modifications
Individuals often need to adjust their diets following a diagnosis of heart failure. The recommended sodium (salt) intake for heart failure patients is 1,500 – 2,000 mg per day. One teaspoon of table salt contains 2,400 mg of sodium!
Limiting sodium may be the most effective change in an individual’s daily activities to reduce symptoms.
Tips for reducing sodium:
Avoid highly processed foods and over-the-counter medications, such as:
Find information about how to be referred to the Heart Failure Clinic and what to expect as a new patient.
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July 14, 2026
