Heart failure is a serious medical condition that affects millions of Americans. Despite its name, heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped working. It means the heart is not pumping blood as effectively as it should.

Heart failure is a syndrome caused by dysfunction of the heart’s ventricles, the chambers responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. When the heart cannot pump properly, the body does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood to meet its needs.

Common symptoms may include:

Shortness of breath, especially with activity or when lying down
Fatigue and decreased ability to exercise
Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen due to fluid buildup
Persistent coughing or wheezing

In more advanced stages, individuals may experience symptoms even at rest. Physical activity may worsen fatigue or shortness of breath.

What Causes Heart Failure?

Several underlying medical conditions increase the risk of developing heart failure. The most common include:

Hypertension, high blood pressure
Diabetes mellitus
Metabolic syndrome
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Cardiomyopathy, diseases of the heart muscle
History of myocardial infarction, heart attack

Hypertension remains one of the most significant modifiable risk factors.

Understanding Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a combination of conditions that significantly increases the risk of heart disease. It typically includes several of the following:

Abdominal obesity
High blood pressure
Elevated blood sugar
High triglycerides, blood fats
Low HDL cholesterol, the good cholesterol

When these factors occur together, they place increased strain on the heart and blood vessels over time.

Why This Matters

Heart failure is not ony a chronic medical condition, it can also contribute to sudden death when left untreated or poorly controlled. Many of the risk factors are preventable or manageable through regular medical care, medication compliance, lifestyle modification, and early intervention.

“As Coroner, I often see the consequences of untreated hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease,” says Dr. Dwight McKenna. “Heart failure is frequently the result of conditions that could have been managed earlier. Prevention, routine checkups, and medication compliance can save lives.”

Public awareness and early management are key to protecting heart health and reducing preventable deaths in our community. Dr. McKenna encourages residents to:

Know your blood pressure
Manage diabetes carefully
Maintain a healthy weight
Follow up regularly with your physician
Seek medical attention if you experience new or worsening shortness of breath or swelling