Types of heart failure
There are two main types of heart failure (See boxes below). Some people have both types.
In systolic heart failure the heart contracts less strongly than normal. This affects the heart’s ability to pump blood out into the body. To compensate for its weak pumping action the heart may beat faster, grow larger, or become more muscular.
In diastolic heart failure the heart muscle is stiff and cannot relax fully. This prevents the heart from filling up with blood fully, which in turn causes fluid to back up and accumulate in the tissues.
Systolic heart failure
- Also known as: systolic dysfunction, left ventricular systolic dysfunction
- “Systolic” refers to the phase of the heart’s pumping cycle when the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood out of the heart into the body
- May be caused by high blood pressure, myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease, disease of the heart valves, diseased heart muscle, or heart defects present at birth,
- Often causes fluid to accumulate in the lungs (pulmonary congestion)
- Symptoms include shortness of breath, tiredness, weakness and swelling in the feet, ankles and legs
- Has a worse prospect of survival than diastolic heart failure
Diastolic heart failure
- Also known as: diastolic dysfunction, heart failure with preserved systolic function
- “Diastolic” refers to the phase of the heart’s pumping cycle when the heart muscle relaxes and the heart fills with blood
- It is more likely to affect women of African-Caribbean origin
- May be caused by high blood pressure, aging, diabetes
- Symptoms include shortness of breath, tiredness, weakness and swelling in the feet, ankles, and legs
- Has a better prospect of survival than systolic heart failure
