Heart Failure: A Serious Condition and a New Neck Scan That May Help Detect It Early

Heart failure is a medical condition that affects the heart muscle, reducing its ability to pump enough blood. As a result, the flow of blood to vital organs—such as the kidneys—becomes insufficient, and fluid may accumulate in other essential organs like the lungs, according to the Saudi Ministry of Health.

Heart failure does not mean that the heart stops working. In some cases, it may be mild and cause only subtle symptoms that appear during physical activity. In other cases, it can be severe, causing symptoms even at rest, and may even become life-threatening.

Although heart failure can occur at any age, it is most common among older adults. Despite being a serious condition, safe and effective treatments are available that can alleviate symptoms.

According to a recent study, a quick and painless neck scan may help identify men at risk of heart failure and assist in better management. Here are the details.

Heart Failure and Its Impact on Quality of Life

Heart failure can significantly affect quality of life if not detected and properly treated. In a study published on March 21, 2025, in the Journal of the American Heart Association, researchers examined whether carotid artery ultrasound could more easily identify individuals at risk of developing heart failure, according to Femme Actuelle.

Researchers found that this fast, painless scan can help detect men at higher risk of heart failure. A total of 1,631 British men aged 71 to 92—none previously diagnosed with heart failure—underwent carotid artery ultrasound between 2010 and 2012. The test is simple and involves gently passing a small handheld device along the neck to examine the arteries beneath it. This scan helps assess the narrowing and elasticity of the arteries in the area.

By the end of the study, scientists observed that a quarter of the participants with less elastic carotid arteries were two and a half times more likely to develop heart failure compared with those whose arteries appeared more flexible.

Researchers noted that doctors can encourage such individuals to adopt a healthier diet, increase physical activity, and take medication when needed to reduce their risk of heart failure.

Heart Failure Screening: A Test for Older Adults

The researchers recommend this scan as a better method for assessing heart failure risk among older adults. Currently, physicians tend to check the carotid arteries mainly in patients who have had a stroke or are at risk after a transient ischemic attack (TIA). However, researchers point out that the test is inexpensive and easy to perform even in healthy individuals.

For this reason, older adults are encouraged to undergo carotid artery ultrasound during routine visits to their general practitioner. Measuring arterial elasticity may help them better understand their future risk of developing heart failure.

“Carotid artery ultrasound is safe, inexpensive, and painless, and our findings suggest that it could allow early detection of warning signs of heart failure,” said Dr. Otenuke Akinmolayan, one of the study’s authors.

However, researchers emphasized the need for further studies—particularly to determine whether the results also apply to women.

Risk Factors That May Lead to Heart Disease

Heart failure can occur at any age, and several behavioral and health-related risk factors can contribute to the development of heart disease. According to the Saudi Ministry of Health, the most important risk factors include:

• Advancing age

• Family history

• Poor diet

• Lack of physical activity

• Smoking in all forms

• Uncontrolled high blood pressure

• Uncontrolled diabetes

• High cholesterol and triglycerides

• Excessive weight gain

• Chronic stress

Complications of Heart Disease

Heart disease can lead to severe complications, including:

• Heart failure

• Heart attack

• Stroke

• Aneurysm

• Sudden cardiac arrest