Heart failure
Weak heart, congestive heart failure
What it is
The heart is too weak or stiff to pump blood well. Water builds up in the lungs, legs and belly. In Africa it is often caused by high blood pressure, heart valve damage, or heart weakness after pregnancy.
Common signs
- Short of breath when walking or lying flat
- Swollen feet, ankles or legs
- Very tired and weak
- Waking at night needing to sit up to breathe
- Fast weight gain from water
How it is diagnosed
A health worker listens to your heart and lungs and checks for swelling. A heart ultrasound (echo) shows how well the heart pumps. Blood tests and a chest X-ray help find the cause.
Tests
- Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) — shows how strong the heart pumps
- Chest X-ray — shows a big heart or water in the lungs
- ECG (heart tracing) — checks heart rhythm
- Blood tests for kidneys and salts — needed with heart medicines
- Daily weight at home — fast gain means water is building up
How food affects it
Eating less salt helps stop water building up. Your health worker may also tell you how much to drink each day — follow their advice. Small, regular meals are easier on the heart. Food helps, but medicines are the main treatment — keep taking them.
Food as medicine, alongside your medicine. Food works alongside your medicines, not instead of them. Never stop or change your tablets without talking to your health worker.
Eat often
- Fresh vegetables and leafy greens, cooked without salt
- Beans, lentils and cowpeas
- Fresh fish, chicken and eggs — for strength
- Fresh fruit like pawpaw, orange and banana (unless told to limit potassium)
- Millet, sorghum, sweet potato and unripe plantain
Eat in moderation
- Drinks, soups and watery foods — follow the amount your health worker gives
- Palm oil and other oils — use a little
- Red meat — small pieces
Avoid or cut down
- Stock cubes, seasoning powder and added salt
- Smoked, salted or dried fish
- Instant noodles, crisps and salty snacks
- Alcohol — it weakens the heart muscle
- Herbal mixtures unless your health worker agrees
Get help urgently
Go to hospital now if you are very short of breath at rest, cannot lie down, cough pink froth, have chest pain, or gain more than 2 kg in 2–3 days.
General information, not a diagnosis. Always follow the advice of your health worker.