An individual can be diagnosed with heart failure when a medical professional determines that the person's heart is weaker than it should be. There are four different stages of the condition, and advanced heart failure brings the highest chance of suffering from life-threatening risks. During this stage, palliative care is crucial, although chances are also high that the individual has already gone through a number of treatments.
Advanced heart failure can fall into two categories. In diastolic dysfunction, the problem occurs when the muscles of the heart cannot relax enough to allow the normal amount of blood to enter the chambers of the heart. Systolic dysfunction is the opposite, and occurs when the muscles of the heart are sufficiently weakened and cannot pump blood out of the heart and into the body with the force needed to adequately supply the muscles and organs with enough blood.
Several different conditions can lead to advanced heart failure, and not all of these underlying conditions deal directly with the heart. Diabetes, lung disease, and obesity can all weaken the heart. Once heart failure sets in, treatments are largely designed to slow the inevitable progression of the disease.
Those in stages of advanced heart failure have typically already gone through the other stages and the treatments associated with them. From early stages of being diagnosed with a likelihood of further development of heart disease to suffering heart attacks and cardiac arrests, individuals with advanced heart failure have typically moved on to a situation where palliative care is administered to keep them as comfortable as possible for as long as possible. For some, this can only be achieved in an assisted living facility or with the help of a caregiver.
Some treatments, such as continuing on a diet low in sodium, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and being sure to get plenty of sleep, can be vitally important. While an individual may suffer from shortness of breath and loss of stamina, careful exercise can help slow the deterioration of the muscles in the heart. Maintaining proper weight can also help ease the strain on the heart.
Once a patient is diagnosed with advanced heart failure, it is unlikely, if not impossible, to recover enough to be downgraded to an earlier stage. Estimating the life expectancy of one with such a diagnosis is difficult, if not also impossible. Continued health depends on a number of factors, from family history to how well the individual follows the advice and guidance of his or her healthcare professionals.