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Heart failure, which affects about 5.7 million people in the U.S., is a condition in which the heart is weakened to the point where it's lost its ability to fill up with enough oxygen-rich blood, or it doesn't have the capacity to pump blood throughout the body. Heart damage and weakness caused by high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, diabetes or other conditions can lead to heart failure.
Those most at risk include people who are overweight or obese, those who have had a heart attack and people over age 65, since the heart muscle can weaken over time. Common indicators of heart failure include wheezing, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate and a buildup of fluid in the feet or ankles—edema. Any of these symptoms should be discussed with your healthcare provider at the onset.
To date, there is no cure for heart failure. But treatments such as medication, lifestyle changes and, in extreme cases, a heart transplant, make living with the condition possible. Find out which lifestyle improvements help protect your ticker from further damage after heart failure.
