What Is Systolic Heart Failure?

Systolic heart failure happens when the left side of your heart doesn't pump blood as well as it should. Learn about its causes, symptoms, and treatments.

What Is Systolic Heart Failure?

Systolic heart failure happens when the left side of your heart doesn't pump blood as well as it should. The condition may come on suddenly (acute systolic heart failure) or develop gradually over time (chronic systolic heart failure).

Common Causes

High blood pressure, coronary artery disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, irregular heartbeats, and damage from a previous heart attack are common causes of systolic heart failure.

Key Symptoms

Symptoms include shortness of breath, swelling in the feet, face, or belly, bulging neck veins, confusion, weight gain, fatigue, and pale or bluish skin.

Treatment Approaches

Treatment typically involves lifestyle changes, medications to improve heart function and reduce fluid retention, and sometimes surgery to address the underlying cause. Early management can slow the progression of the disease.

Why It Matters

Left untreated, systolic heart failure can cause serious damage to your body and even be fatal. If you're experiencing any warning signs, schedule an evaluation with our team at Healthy Living Heart and Vein.