Kidney Failure—Heart Failure

Also called: CHF, Cardiac failure, Congestive heart failure, Left-sided heart failure, Right-sided heart failure

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. Heart failure does not mean that your heart has stopped or is about to stop working. It means that your heart is not able to pump blood the way it should. It can affect one or both sides of the heart.

The weakening of the heart’s pumping ability causes

• Blood and fluid to back up into the lungs
• The buildup of fluid in the feet, ankles and legs – called edema
• Tiredness and shortness of breath

Common causes of heart failure are coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. It is more common in people who are 65 years old or older, African Americans, people who are overweight, and people who have had a heart attack. Men have a higher rate of heart failure than women.

Your doctor will diagnose heart failure by doing a physical exam and heart tests. Treatment includes treating the underlying cause of your heart failure, medicines, and heart transplantation if other treatments fail.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

• Brain natriutetic peptide test (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Heart failure – discharge (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Heart failure – fluids and diuretics (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Heart failure – home monitoring (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Heart failure – medicines (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Heart failure in children – home care (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Heart failure in children – overview (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Heart failure overview (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Pleural effusion (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Pulmonary edema (Medical Encyclopedia)

Also called: ESRD, End-stage renal disease, Renal failure

Healthy kidneys clean your blood by removing excess fluid, minerals, and wastes. They also make hormones that keep your bones strong and your blood healthy. But if the kidneys are damaged, they don’t work properly. Harmful wastes can build up in your body. Your blood pressure may rise. Your body may retain excess fluid and not make enough red blood cells. This is called kidney failure.

If your kidneys fail, you need treatment to replace the work they normally do. The treatment options are dialysis or a kidney transplant. Each treatment has benefits and drawbacks. No matter which treatment you choose, you’ll need to make some changes in your life, including how you eat and plan your activities. But with the help of health care providers, family, and friends, most people with kidney failure can lead full and active lives.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

• Acute kidney failure (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Acute tubular necrosis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Dialysis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• End-stage kidney disease (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Glomerular filtration rate (Medical Encyclopedia)