Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms Treatment And Prognosis

1. Congestive Heart Failure: Symptoms, Treatment, And Prognosis federalhealth.net/congestive-heart-failure-symptoms-treatment-and-prognosis Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition that may develop when the heart can’t pump enough blood through to the body. “Heart failure” doesn’t mean the heart has stopped, but it has been weakened or damaged by coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, or infections. Heart failure can gradually develop and worsen over time, or come about very quickly, depending on the cause. Most of those living with CHF control their condition, with a healthy heart patient diet and regular exercise. Types Of Congestive Heart Failure The heart is divided into two sides, with each side having two chambers. The atria (plural) or atrium (singular) are the upper chambers, and the lower chambers are the ventricles. Blood from the body enters the heart through the right atrium, which is then emptied into the right ventricle. The right ventricle then pumps the blood through the lungs to remove the carbon dioxide and replace it with oxygen. 1/3

2. The oxygen-enriched blood flows into the left atrium, which empties it into the left ventricle. As the strongest muscle in the heart, the left ventricle then pumps the blood back out to the body. Heart failure is classified by which part of the heart is damaged. Left-sided Heart Failure: Damage to the left ventricle can either prevent it from pumping out an adequate supply of blood to the body (systolic failure), or from receiving blood from the left atrium (diastolic failure). When this happens, the left ventricle is unable to circulate the blood, which can then back up into the lungs. Fluid in the lungs causes shortness of breath, which is one of the main congestive heart failuresymptoms. Although the two types of left ventricle failure have the same result and the same symptoms, it is important to know the difference because treatment options are not always the same for both types. Right-sided Heart Failure: When the right atrium and ventricle can’t keep up with the supply of blood coming in from the body, the blood can back up in the veins and capillaries, causing edema (fluid accumulation). The most common symptom of edema is swelling, especially in the legs. This type of congestive heart failure is often a result of the left side not being able to receive the blood but can be caused by conditions increasing pressure in the lungs. Congestive heart failure can be caused by several conditions. The most common causes are high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. The underlying cause will determine how the condition is treated. Diagnosing Congestive Heart Failure To diagnose CHF, your heart doctorwill need to know about your medical history, what symptoms you have experienced, and for how long you have had these symptoms. This will be followed by a complete physical exam to see if you have any signs of CHF, such as: Fluid in the lungs An enlarged liver Enlarged jugular vein in the neck High heart rate High or low blood pressure Swollen abdomen, legs or feet Atherosclerotic heart disease has many of the same symptoms as congestive heart failure, so additional tests may be required for an accurate diagnosis. 2/3

3. These will likely include: Chest x-ray – From the x-ray the doctor will be able to see if the heart is enlarged, or if the lungs are congested. Blood tests – With blood tests, the doctor can determine if you have thyroid disorders, anemia or high cholesterol. He will also evaluate the functionality of your liver and kidneys, and check the level of natriuretic peptide (BNP) in your blood. Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) – This test measures the heart’s electrical activity to determine problems with the rhythm, abnormalities in the muscle and damage to the heart. Echocardiogram – Commonly called the echo test, this test creates an image of the heart by use of sound waves. From the image, the doctor can see if the valves and chambers are functioning properly, and if there is any structural damage, excess fluid or tumors. Stress test – The electrical activity of the heart is measured while you exercise to see how well the heart performs. Treating CHF The first thing your cardiologist will suggest is lifestyle changes, such as adopting a heart-healthy diet plan, no smoking, no alcohol, and a regular exercise program. Other treatments could include heart vitamins, medications, medical devices, or even heart surgery. These treatments will help improve the functionality of your heart, reduce water retention, and decrease the risk of damaging the heart any further. 3/3