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Sudden Heart Failure

Table of Contents


Overview

Sudden heart failure occurs when heart failure gets worse very quickly. Your heart suddenly cannot pump as much blood as your body needs. Sudden heart failure causes rapid fluid buildup, or congestion, in the lungs and other parts of the body.

Sudden heart failure is an emergency. You need care right away.

Sudden heart failure is also called a "flare-up" or "acute heart failure."

What causes sudden heart failure?

Sudden heart failure can be caused by certain health problems and by some things that you do.

Health problems that can cause sudden heart failure include:

Things that you might do that can cause or "trigger" sudden heart failure include:

Not all people are sensitive to or react to the same triggers. What may cause sudden heart failure in one person may not cause any problems for another person.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of heart failure start to happen when your heart can't pump enough blood to the rest of your body.

In the early stages of heart failure, you may:

As heart failure gets worse, fluid starts to build up in your lungs and other parts of your body. This may cause you to:

How can you prevent sudden heart failure?

When you have heart failure, taking good care of yourself and following a daily action plan can help you feel better. It can also help you prevent sudden heart failure.


Credits for Sudden Heart Failure

Current as of: June 24, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
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