Profiles in Heart Disease: Leona Helmsley

(LifeWire) - Heart failure, a condition that affects nearly 5 million Americans, eventually killed Leona Helmsley.

Helmsley, the so-called "Queen of Mean," owned a series of high-end hotels on the East Coast. She earned her nickname during a high-profile tax evasion case. Several media outlets quoted Helmsley as saying, "Only little people pay taxes."

Helmsley, 87, died in her Greenwich, Conn. home in August 2007.

Physicians diagnose heart failure when the heart isn't pumping an adequate amount of blood to the rest of the body. The reasons for this condition vary, but can include the following:

• Heart defect
• High blood pressure
• Previous heart issues, such as heart attack or infection that has affected the heart's ability to do its job
• Limited blood flow to the heart muscle

Heart failure does not mean that the heart isn't working; it's just not as effective as it should be. The condition can cause a variety of symptoms, including swelling, fatigue and difficulty breathing. According to the American Heart Association, the swelling often occurs in the feet, ankles and legs. Occasionally, fluid can buildup in the lungs as well.

The treatment plan will depend on the severity of the condition. Some people simply require rest and diet modifications. Others people will require medication, such as beta blockers or ACE inhibitors. Talk to your doctor about these medications and the potential side effects.

According to Helmsley's obituary, she was a fervent smoker. Smoking can exacerbate heart failure. Nicotine increases the heart rate and decreases the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream.

The damage to the heart can become so pervasive that it cannot be managed with medication and diet changes. Surgery can be an option for some patients. Some might also be candidates for a heart transplant.

Heart disease kills about 300,000 people annually.

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