Congestive heart failure overview
Congestive heart failure (Heart Failure, CHF) occurs when your heart is unable to meet your body’s demands, especially during increased activity or under stress. Basically, the heart can’t keep up with its workload.
There are two main types of heart failure, Systolic and Diastolic.
Systolic HF occurs when the heart is weak and is unable to pump a sufficiently large fraction of blood.
Diastolic HF occurs when the heart is very stiff and unable to relax sufficiently.
Under both conditions, your lungs and peripheral tissues may become congested; this is why heart failure may be called “congestive” heart failure.
Dr. Leandro Perez gives us an overview of congestive heart failure
Congestive heart failure causes
Most people who develop heart failure have (or had) another heart condition first. Risk factors for CHF include:
Sleep apnea
Diabetes
Unhealthy dietary patterns
Excess alcohol consumption
Illicit drug use
Systemic infections
Severe emotional distress.
Congestive heart failure symptoms
Heart failure signs and symptoms may include:
Shortness of breath, or dyspnea
Fatigue, weakness, lightheadedness
Water build up in your extremities (edema)
Feeling slow and lethargic while exercising
Chronic cough or wheezing
Increased need to urinate at night
Swelling of the abdomen (ascites)
Rapid weight gain from fluid retention
Lack of appetite, nausea
Confusion, difficulty concentrating, decreased alertness
Chest pain
Congestive heart failure diagnosis
Your doctor will ask you a detailed personal and family medical history and perform a physical examination. This is followed by an electrocardiogram (EKG) and blood and urine tests. An echocardiogram, stress test or heart catheterization may be recommended. Sleep studies are advisable in patients who report symptoms of sleep apnea. In certain situations, an electrophysiology study may be necessary.
Congestive heart failure management
Treatment depends on what caused your CHF. Medications are prescribed to control your symptoms and to prevent decompensation. Risk factors must be controlled and offending agents eliminated. Medications are available to improve your heart’s function and improve quality of life and prolong survival. Cardiac rehabilitation is recommended because it is associated with improved cardiac outcomes and improved quality of life scores.
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