TRANSPLANTS

A patient with severe heart failure that does not respond to these therapies may require a heart transplant.

Heart failure is a serious disorder. Everything possible should be done to prevent the heart's pumping problems from getting worse.

There is no cure, but many forms of heart failure can be controlled with medication, addressing the underlying disorders, and using implanted devices with defibrillation capabilities.

• Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms), which may be life-threatening
• Fainting
• Repeat hospitalizations
• Side effects of heart failure medications

Call your health care provider if you notice symptoms of congestive heart failure and your symptoms change, worsen, or do not improve with treatment.

Also call if chest pain, weakness, fainting, rapid or irregular heartbeat, sudden weight gain, swelling, or other new or unexplained symptoms develop.

Images

Heart, front view

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Review Date: 11/06/2006
Reviewed By: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)