What happens if the heart malfunctions

When your heart begins to weaken or stiffen and cannot properly pump blood, fluid begins to build up in your lungs and body. When your kidneys do not receive their normal amount of oxygen-rich blood, they cannot properly cycle out excess water and waste, which results in swelling called edema in your ankles, feet, and legs. The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute has long been a leader in cardiovascular care, with a rich history in clinical research and innovation.

As one of the first heart transplant centers in the country and as the developer of one of the first heart-assist devices, UPMC has contributed to advancing the field of cardiovascular medicine. Share this on: Your heart plays a vital role pumping blood through your body. The left side of the heart is responsible for pumping blood to the rest of the body. In people with left-sided heart failure, blood backs up into the lungs because the heart does not pump it away effectively.

This issue can cause shortness of breath and a buildup of fluid. The right side of the heart pumps blood to the lungs, where it collects oxygen. Right-sided heart failure typically follows left-sided heart failure. However, it can sometimes occur due to other conditions, such as lung disease or pulmonary hypertension.

Diastolic heart failure occurs when the heart muscle is stiffer than usual and does not relax normally but pumps normally. When the heart is stiff, it does not fill up with blood properly. Doctors refer to this as diastolic dysfunction. When the heart does not fill up with blood as usual, it causes increased pressure inside the heart, which can lead to a backup of fluid into the lungs.

It often occurs if one or both sides of the heart become weak or enlarged. Certain lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of heart failure or slow its progression.

These include:. In addition, people with heart failure should keep up to date with vaccinations, including the yearly flu shot. Nevertheless, treatments can significantly improve the quality of life by keeping heart failure under control and helping to relieve many of the symptoms. Doctors also focus on treating the cause of heart failure. This will reduce the burden on the heart. Not everyone with heart failure responds to drug treatments. In these cases, there are some surgical options:.

Coronary artery bypass graft: Doctors commonly recommend this procedure when coronary artery disease is the cause of congestive heart failure. Percutaneous coronary intervention: Sometimes called PCI, this is a nonsurgical procedure to place a stent in the heart to open up the blood vessels. Pacemaker : This is a small device placed under the skin in the chest to help correct an irregular heartbeat.

Cardiac ablation : This procedure can help correct a heart rhythm problem. A catheter is inserted into the arteries or veins. Heart valve surgery: This procedure repairs a defective valve that makes the heart pump inefficiently. Implantable left ventricular assist device: For hospital inpatients who have not responded to other treatments, this can help the heart pump blood. Doctors may recommend them for people who are waiting for a transplant. Heart transplant: If no other treatments or surgeries help, a transplant is an option.

Medical teams only consider a transplant for a person who is healthy beyond the problem affecting their heart. Unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as a poor diet, lack of exercise, being overweight and smoking, can lead to atherosclerosis.

In a healthy person with a normal, healthy heart, it's unlikely for a deadly arrhythmia to develop without some outside trigger, such as an electrical shock or the use of illegal drugs.

However, in a heart that's diseased or deformed, the heart's electrical signals may not properly start or travel through the heart, making arrhythmias more likely to develop. Congenital heart defects usually develop while a baby is in the womb.

Heart defects can develop as the heart develops, about a month after conception, changing the flow of blood in the heart.

Some medical conditions, medications and genes may play a role in causing heart defects. Heart defects can also develop in adults. As you age, your heart's structure can change, causing a heart defect.

The cause of cardiomyopathy, a thickening or enlarging of the heart muscle, may depend on the type:. A heart infection, such as endocarditis, is caused when germs reach your heart muscle. The most common causes of heart infection include:. Many things can cause diseases of your heart valves. You may be born with valvular disease, or the valves may be damaged by conditions such as:.

Certain types of heart disease, such as heart defects, can't be prevented. However, the same lifestyle changes that can improve your heart disease can help you prevent it, including:. Heart disease care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect your heart. Heart diseases include: Blood vessel disease, such as coronary artery disease Heart rhythm problems arrhythmias Heart defects you're born with congenital heart defects Heart valve disease Disease of the heart muscle Heart infection.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Chambers and valves of the heart Open pop-up dialog box Close. Chambers and valves of the heart A typical heart has two upper and two lower chambers.

Development of atherosclerosis Open pop-up dialog box Close. Development of atherosclerosis If you have too many cholesterol particles in your blood, cholesterol may accumulate on your artery walls. More Information Heart disease care at Mayo Clinic Heart disease prevention Omega-3 in fish Red wine, antioxidants and resveratrol Can vitamins help prevent a heart attack?

Fasting diet: Can it improve my heart health? Healthy heart for life: Avoiding heart disease Fact or Fiction? Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references What is cardiovascular disease? American Heart Association. Accessed Oct. Heart-healthy living. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.