Heart failure care
Heart failure means the heart is not pumping or filling as well as the body needs. It does not mean the heart has stopped. It causes breathlessness, tiredness and swelling, and it is common in people with long-standing high blood pressure, diabetes or a past heart attack. At Medcare in Bongaigaon, Dr. Tamoghna Das diagnoses heart failure with echocardiography and provides ongoing care to ease symptoms, keep you active and reduce hospital stays.
At a glance
- Common symptoms: breathlessness on walking or lying flat, swollen feet, tiredness, waking up breathless at night
- Common causes: high BP, diabetes, coronary artery disease, valve disease, some infections and alcohol
- Main test: echocardiography (heart ultrasound), with strain imaging to detect early changes
- Earlier stages: heart changes can be found on echo before symptoms begin ("stage B" heart failure)
- At Medcare: echo, ECG, Holter, BP and sugar control, medicine plan and regular follow-up
- Daily habit that helps most: weigh yourself every morning
Stages of heart failure, in plain words
- Stage A, at risk: high BP, diabetes, obesity or other risk factors, but a normal heart
- Stage B, early heart changes: the echo shows changes, such as a stiff or thickened heart or reduced strain, but no symptoms yet
- Stage C, symptoms: breathlessness, swelling or tiredness due to heart changes
- Stage D, advanced: symptoms at rest despite treatment, needing specialist care
Finding heart failure at stage A or B gives the greatest chance to prevent symptoms. Dr. Das co-authored a 2025 study in the Indian Heart Journal that looked at 227 adults having routine echocardiography at a referral centre in North India; about half met the criteria for stage B heart failure. Studies like this are why Medcare looks closely at the heart in people with diabetes and high BP.
What happens at Medcare
- History and examination. Symptoms, how far you can walk, sleep position, swelling, weight change and past illnesses.
- Echo and ECG. To see how well the heart pumps and fills, the valves, pressures and rhythm. Strain imaging adds detail on heart muscle function.
- Blood tests. Kidney function, salts, haemoglobin, thyroid, sugar and, when needed, a heart failure marker (NT-proBNP), done at a lab of your choice.
- Treatment plan. Medicines that ease fluid build-up and medicines proven to help the heart work better and live longer, started and adjusted step by step.
- Self-care training. Daily weight, fluid and salt guidance, activity, vaccines, and warning signs.
- Follow-up. Regular reviews to adjust medicines, check kidneys and salts, and repeat echo when useful. If you need a device or procedure, Dr. Das will explain your options.
- History and examination. Symptoms, how far you can walk, sleep position, swelling, weight change and past illnesses.
- Echo and ECG. To see how well the heart pumps and fills, the valves, pressures and rhythm. Strain imaging adds detail on heart muscle function.
- Blood tests. Kidney function, salts, haemoglobin, thyroid, sugar and, when needed, a heart failure marker (NT-proBNP), done at a lab of your choice.
- Treatment plan. Medicines that ease fluid build-up and medicines proven to help the heart work better and live longer, started and adjusted step by step.
- Self-care training. Daily weight, fluid and salt guidance, activity, vaccines, and warning signs.
- Follow-up. Regular reviews to adjust medicines, check kidneys and salts, and repeat echo when useful. If you need a device or procedure, Dr. Das will explain your options.
Living well with heart failure
- Weigh yourself every morning after passing urine and before breakfast. Write it down.
- A gain of 2 kg in 3 days is a warning sign: call the clinic.
- Keep salt low and follow the fluid advice you are given.
- Take every medicine daily. Do not stop because you feel better.
- Stay active with walking at a comfortable pace.
- Avoid painkillers such as common joint pain tablets unless your doctor agrees; some worsen heart failure.
- Get flu and pneumonia vaccines as advised.
When to see a doctor urgently
Call 108 or 112 if you have severe breathlessness, breathlessness at rest or when lying flat that is getting worse, pink frothy cough, chest pain, fainting, or confusion. Call the clinic the same day if your weight rises by 2 kg in 3 days or swelling increases.
FAQs
Does heart failure mean my heart is about to stop?
No. Heart failure means the heart is weaker or stiffer than normal and cannot meet the body's needs fully. Many people live active lives for years with good treatment. The right medicines, salt and fluid control and regular follow-up make a big difference to symptoms and outlook.
Can heart failure get better?
In some people, heart function improves a lot with treatment, especially when the cause, such as high BP or a fast heart rhythm, is controlled. In others the aim is to keep it stable and prevent worsening. Regular echo checks show how the heart is responding.
What is stage B heart failure?
Stage B means the echo shows changes in the heart's structure or function, but there are no symptoms yet. It is common in people with diabetes and high BP. Finding it allows firmer control of BP, sugar and other factors to try to stop progression to symptoms.
Why should I weigh myself every day?
Fluid can build up in the body a few days before breathlessness gets worse. A sudden weight gain, such as 2 kg in 3 days, is often the earliest sign. Catching it early means your medicines can be adjusted before you need hospital care.
Can I exercise with heart failure?
Yes, in most cases, and it helps. Regular walking at a pace where you can still talk improves strength and breathing. Dr. Das will tell you what is safe for you and when to rest.
Do I need to drink less water?
Some people with heart failure need to limit fluids, but not everyone. It depends on your symptoms, kidney function and salt levels. Follow the specific fluid advice Dr. Das gives you rather than general rules.
Sources
- Indian Heart Journal 2025: Gupta R, Das T, et al. Prevalence of stage B heart failure in patients undergoing echocardiography during regular clinical practice
- Heart Failure Association of India, consensus statements
- European Society of Cardiology, Heart failure guidelines (current edition)
Related care
From the Health Library
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tamoghna Das, MBBS, MD (Medicine) · Assam Council of Medical Registration No. 20276 · Last reviewed 3 October 2026
Book a visit with Dr. Tamoghna Das
Call 60031 21297 or send a WhatsApp message. We confirm your time within 30 to 60 minutes during clinic hours.