What happens if cardiovascular system fails

These responses are the body's attempt to compensate for the poor blood circulation and backup of blood. Your heart's goal in compensating for heart failure is to maintain your cardiac output. Cardiac output is the amount of blood your heart is able to pump in 1 minute. The problem in heart failure is that the heart isn't pumping out enough blood each time it beats low stroke volume. To maintain your cardiac output, your heart can try to:. How does the heart know to beat faster?

Your brain signals your heart to beat faster by sending messages to your heart's electrical system, which controls the timing of your heartbeat. When your cardiac output is low, your adrenal glands also release more norepinephrine adrenaline , which travels in the bloodstream and stimulates your heart to beat faster. Although beating faster helps to maintain cardiac output as the stroke volume falls, a faster heart rate can be counterproductive because it allows less time for the ventricle to fill with blood after each heartbeat.

Also, a very fast heart rate can itself weaken the heart muscle over time. How does the heart increase its stroke volume? To increase its stroke volume, your heart can try to:. If your body can no longer compensate for heart failure, you will begin to have symptoms, which consist of two major types:. How long does it take before the body stops compensating for heart failure? Your body can compensate for heart failure for a long time, often for many years.

But the duration of compensation can be extremely variable and depends on the cause of your heart failure and whether you have other medical problems. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: Rakesh K. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use.

Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. Strokes often occur when a blood clot blocks an artery in the brain and reduces the blood supply. They also can happen when a blood vessel in the brain breaks open. Both events keep blood and oxygen from reaching the brain.

As a result, parts of the brain are likely to be damaged. Read more: Everything you need to know about stroke symptoms ». An abdominal aortic aneurism is a bulge in a weakened part of the aorta. The aorta is the largest blood vessel in your body. It carries blood from your heart to your abdomen, legs, and pelvis. When it becomes larger, you may experience pain in the abdomen or back. Large and rapidly growing abdominal aortic aneurisms are at greatest risk of rupturing.

These require immediate attention. Peripheral artery disease PAD is atherosclerosis that occurs in the extremities, usually in your legs.

It reduces blood flow to your legs, as well as to your heart and brain. Modifiable risk factors are factors that can be controlled, changed, or treated with lifestyle changes. These risk factors include:. Men have a greater risk than premenopausal women for stroke.

Also, some ethnicities have a higher risk for certain diseases than others. They can help develop a treatment or management plan for your condition.

Heart attacks, strokes, and ruptured abdominal aortic aneurisms are life-threatening. When someone has the symptoms of these conditions, call or take them to the emergency room immediately. Not all risk factors for coronary artery disease are avoidable. But at least one quarter of all deaths due to heart disease and stroke are preventable, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Many conditions can be reversed or controlled with a combination of lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication. You can also take steps and make lifestyle changes to prevent these conditions. High blood pressure is often associated with few or no symptoms.

Many people have it for years without knowing it. Learn more. Coronary artery disease, or coronary heart disease, can lead to heart attack or death. Learn what causes this condition and how you can prevent it. Each side has two chambers: An atrium or upper chamber A ventricle or lower chamber Any one of these four chambers may not be able to keep up with the volume of blood flowing through it. Two types of heart dysfunction can lead to heart failure, including: Systolic Heart Failure This is the most common cause of heart failure and occurs when the heart is weak and enlarged.

The muscle of the left ventricle loses some of its ability to contract or shorten. In turn, it may not have the muscle power to pump the amount of oxygenated and nutrient-filled blood the body needs. Diastolic Failure The muscle becomes stiff and loses some of its ability to relax.

As a result, the affected chamber has trouble filling with blood during the rest period that occurs between each heartbeat. Often the walls of the heart thicken, and the size of the left chamber may be normal or reduced. Symptoms People who experience any of the symptoms associated with heart failure, even if they are mild, should consult a doctor as soon as possible. Typical signs of heart failure include: Breathlessness or Shortness of Breath Dyspnea When the heart begins to fail, blood backs up in the veins attempting to carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.

As fluid pools in the lungs, it interferes with normal breathing. In turn, you may experience breathlessness during exercise or other activities. As the condition worsens, shortness of breath may occur when at rest or asleep.

These periods of breathlessness may leave you feeling exhausted and anxious. Fatigue As heart failure becomes more severe, the heart is unable to pump the amount of blood required to meet all of the body's needs.

To compensate, blood is diverted away from less-crucial areas, including the arms and legs, to supply the heart and brain. As a result, people with heart failure often feel weak especially in their arms and legs , tired and have difficulty performing ordinary activities such as walking, climbing stairs or carrying groceries. Chronic Cough or Wheezing The fluid buildup in the lungs may result in a persistent cough or wheezing, that may produce phlegm a thick, mucous-like substance that may be tinged with blood.

Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat The heart may speed up to compensate for its failing ability to adequately pump blood throughout the body. Patients may feel a fluttering in the heart palpitations or a heartbeat that seems irregular or out of rhythm. This often is described as a pounding or racing sensation in the chest. Lack of Appetite or Nausea When the liver and digestive system become congested they fail to receive a normal supply of blood. This can make you feel nauseous or full, even if you haven't eaten.

Mental Confusion or Impaired Thinking Abnormal levels of certain substances, such as sodium, in the blood and reduced blood flow to the brain can cause memory loss or disorientation, which you may or may not be aware of.