The Four Stages of Heart Failure

Dr.Ashish Agarwal, 2 mins read

Heart failure is a chronic condition where the heart muscle doesn’t pump the blood as it should. In such a situation, the blood doesn’t reach the different parts of the body and fluid buildup in the lungs.

It's a progressive condition, meaning it worsens over time if left untreated or poorly managed. This progression is categorised into four stages - A, B, C, and D.

Understanding the four stages of heart failure can help you recognize the symptoms early, take proactive steps, and work with your healthcare provider to manage the condition.

Stage A

You may not exhibit any noticeable symptoms or structural or functional disease. But you're at high risk of developing heart failure due to the following risk factors:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Coronary artery disease
• Family history of heart failure
• Exposure to cardiotoxic agents

Your healthcare provider may recommend lifestyle changes, such as:

• Regular exercise
• A healthy and balanced diet
• Smoking cessation
• Stress management

Stage B

The heart has either a structural problem, increased filling pressures, or other risk factors. But it will not show any symptoms. Your healthcare provider may detect abnormalities through:

• Echocardiogram
• ECG
• Blood tests

Treatment at this stage may include:

• Medications to manage underlying conditions
• Lifestyle modifications
• Regular monitoring

Stage C

In this stage of heart failure, you'll start to experience noticeable symptoms, such as:

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Swelling in legs, ankles, and feet
• Coughing up pink, frothy mucus

Your healthcare provider may prescribe:

• Medications to manage symptoms
• Oxygen therapy
• Lifestyle modifications
• Regular monitoring

Stage D

At this final and fourth stage of heart failure, your heart is severely weakened, and symptoms are so severe and persistent that they start interfering with your daily activities or lead to repeated hospitalisation. You may experience:

• Severe shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Dizziness

Treatment options at this stage may include:

• Advanced medications
• Mechanical support devices (e.g., pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators)
• Heart transplantation
• Palliative care

Taking Control of Heart Failure

While heart failure is a progressive condition, there are effective steps to manage its progression. Keep an eye on your heart health and consider a periodic health checkup for early diagnosis of an issue. Also, work closely with your cardiologist to:

• Monitor your condition regularly
• Manage your risk factors
• Make lifestyle modifications
• Adhere to your treatment plan