Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart fails to pump a normal amount of blood to the tissues of the body, increasing the pressure within the heart and lungs. The chambers of the heart respond by stretching or by becoming stiff and thickened. As a result the heart cannot pump enough oxygen and nutrients to meet the body's needs and the kidneys often respond by causing the body to retain fluid. If fluid builds up in the legs, ankles, feet, lungs, or other organs, the body becomes congested, resulting in congestive heart failure. Over time, atrial and venticular arrythmias may occur.
What Causes Congestive Heart Failure?
Heart failure is caused by many conditions that damage the heart muscle, including:
Coronary artery disease (CAD), a disease of the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart, causes decreased blood flow to the heart muscle. If the arteries become blocked or severely narrowed, the heart becomes starved for oxygen and nutrients.
Heart attack, which may occur when a coronary artery becomes suddenly blocked reduces the ability of the heart to pump by replacing heart muscle with scar tissue that does not function properly.
Cardiomyopathy, primary damage to the heart muscle from causes other than coronary artery disease which results in a limited ability of the heart to pump blood. Conditions including high blood pressure (hypertension), valve disease, thyroid disease, kidney disease, diabetes, alcoholism and heart defects present at birth can all cause heart failure. In addition, heart failure can occur when several diseases or conditions are present at once.
What Are the Symptoms of Heart Failure?
You may not have any symptoms of heart failure, or the symptoms may be mild, moderate or severe. Symptoms can be constant or can come and go. The symptoms can include:
- Shortness of breath
- Inability to lay flat comfortably.
- Congested lungs.
- Fluid and water retention.
- Dizziness, fatigue and weakness.
- Rapid or irregular heartbeats
How Is Heart Failure Diagnosed?
Your doctor will recommend the appropriate diagnostic tests depending on your lifestyle, medical history and physical examination. Among the possible tests for heart failure are, B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) blood test, chest x-ray, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and cardiac cathaterization or stress test.
How is Congestive Heart Failure Treated?
Treatment options include lifestyle modifications including proper rest, low salt diet and prescribed physical activity. Additionally your doctor may prescribe medication to help improve heart function, lower pressure in the heart and lungs and reduce fluid retention. ACE inhibitors and vasodilators expand blood vessels and decrease blood vessel resistance. This allows blood to flow more easily and makes the heart's work easier and more efficient. Beta blockers can improve how well the heart's left lower chamber (left ventricle) pumps, while diuretics help the body eliminate excess salt and water.
Depending on your condition surgery may be appropriate to stop further damage to your heart and improve function. Surgical options may include coronary bypass surgery or heart valve surgery.
For more information or to make an appointment please call
1-877-233-WELL (9355).