What id Congestive Heart Failure or CHF
Congestive heart failure, or CHF,
which is also referred to as congestive cardiac failure, or CCF,
or simply heart failure, is a medical problem wherein the heart
loses its ability to fill with or pump adequate amounts of blood
to the various parts of the body as well as the organs, which
leads fluid retention in the body. This condition occurs due to
various factors.
Such as:
* The narrowing of the arteries supplying the heart muscle with
blood, known as coronary artery disease
* Myocardial infarction, wherein there is scar tissue, which
hinders the normal working of the heart muscle
* Impairment of the heart valve because of rheumatic fever in the
past, or other reasons
* Congenital defects of the heart
* High blood pressure
* Cardiomyopathy, which is a disorder of the heart muscle or
myocardium, generally of unknown causes
* Endocarditis, which is an inflammation of the heart valves and
the endocardium
* Myocarditis, which is the inflammation of the muscular tissue of
the heart, or myocardium
The impaired heart continues to work, but cannot do so as
efficiently as it does normally. Those who are affected with
congestive heart failure lose their ability to exert themselves as
they tire fast and become short of breath.
What are the Effects of Congestive Heart Failure?
As there is a slowing down of the blood flowing from the heart,
the blood that returns to the heart via the veins begins backing
up, resulting in the tissues becoming congested. Often, this
results in edema, or swelling, usually in the ankles and legs,
although it can also affect other areas of the body as well as
organs. For instance, the impaired heart muscles may be incapable
of supplying the kidneys with enough blood, resulting in them
losing the ability to excrete water and sodium, which in turn
causes increased fluid retention in the body. There is also a
build up of fluid in the lungs, known as pulmonary edema, which
results in breath shortness, hence diminishing the individual’s
exercise capacity. Likewise, fluids may get accumulated in the
liver, because of which it loses its ability to get rid of toxins
from the body as well as make essential proteins. Fluid retention
also affects the intestines, which lose their ability to absorb
nutrients as well as medications efficiently. If left untreated,
eventually congestive heart failure can affect almost every organ.
As a matter of fact, congestive heart failure is one of the
leading causes of people above the age of 65 getting hospitalized.
There is a 10 percent mortality rate annually, even with the best
of treatments. In addition, the condition often goes undiagnosed
because of difficulties in diagnosing it, especially at its
initial stages or when it occurs in its mild form.
What are the Signs of Congestive Heart Failure?
One of the earliest signs of congestive heart failure is fatigue,
accompanied by the affected person’s diminished capacity to
exercise. In fact, most people don’t even realize this reduction,
with them usually compensating subconsciously by reducing their
activities in order to adapt to this limitation.
With the body becoming congested with fluid, and the lungs
becoming affected, resulting in shortness of breath, which impairs
the ability to exercise and also when lying down flat. Sometimes,
the affected person may wake up at night gasping for breath. Some
even have to sleep sitting in an upright position. The excessive
fluid in the body also results in an increase in urination,
especially at night. When the fluids accumulate in the intestines
and liver, it may result in a decrease in the appetite, pain in
the abdomen, and nausea.
How can Congestive Heart Failure be Treated?
The treatment for congestive hear failure usually includes: rest;
correct diet; a modification in daily activities; as well as drugs
like angiotensin-converting enzyme, or ACE inhibitors, beta
blockers, vasodilators, digitalis, and diuretics.
Vasodilators and ACE inhibitors help to expand the blood vessels
as well as decrease the resistance of the blood flow in them. This
enables the easier flow of blood, easing the working of the heart,
thus making it more efficient. Digitalis is a powerful heart
stimulant. Beta blockers improves the pumping of the left
ventricle of the heart. And, diuretics help in eliminating the
excess fluid and salt in the body.
Sometimes, when a specific cause is identified, treating that or
correcting it can alleviate congestive heart failure. For
instance, sometimes treating high blood pressure can ease
congestive heart failure, or if an abnormal heart valve is found
to be the cause, surgically replacing it can ease the condition.
A more drastic step, like a heart transplant, has to be taken in
case of the heart becoming so damaged that repairing it becomes
impossible.
Usually, people affected with moderate or mild congestive heart
failure have the ability to be treated. With good medical
supervision, these people can lead more or less normal lives,
without needing them to become invalids.
How Congestive Heart Failure Develops
Symptoms of CHF
Injurious
To Health
Diet in CCF
patient
Healthy Diet
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