Congestive heart failure

 

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic condition that affects the pumping capacity of your heart muscle. Although commonly referred to as heart failure, CHF refers specifically to the stage at which fluid builds up inside the heart and causes it to pump improperly. It has four heart chambers.

What Is Heart Failure? Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped working. Rather, it means that the heart is slower than usual. Because of the various possible causes, blood flow to the heart and body slows down, and heart rate increases. As a result, the heart is unable to pump enough oxygen and nutrients to meet the body's needs. Cardiac cells may respond by stretching to hold more blood to pump the body or by becoming harder and thicker. This helps keep the blood moving, but the walls of the heart muscle may eventually become weak and unable to pump properly. The kidneys may respond by absorbing fluids and salts. If fluid builds up in the arms, legs, ankles, feet, lungs, or other body parts, the body becomes congested. Congestive heart failure is a term used to describe a condition.

What Causes Heart Failure? Heart failure is caused by several conditions that damage the heart muscle, including Coronary artery disease; a disease of the arteries that carry blood and oxygen to the heart that causes a decrease in blood flow to the heart muscle. When the arteries become blocked or severely narrowed, the heart becomes deprived of oxygen and nutrients. Heart disease; a heart attack occurs when a coronary artery suddenly closes, stopping the flow of blood to the heart muscle. A heart attack damages a heart muscle, leading to a scarred area that does not function properly. Cardiomyopathy; cardiovascular injury due to non-arterial causes or problems with blood flow, such as disease or alcohol or drug abuse. Circumstances that work best for the heart; conditions that include high blood pressure, valve disease, thyroid disease, kidney disease, diabetes, or congestive heart failure at birth can cause heart failure. In addition, heart failure can occur when several diseases or conditions are present at the same time.

What Are the Symptoms of Heart Failure? You may not have symptoms of heart failure, or the symptoms may be mild and severe. Symptoms may last or come and go. Symptoms may include: The lungs are thick; supporting excess fluid in the lungs can cause shortness of breath through exercise or shortness of breath when resting or when lying down in bed. Lung congestion can also cause a dry cough, nausea, or shortness of breath. Water and liquid storage; decreased blood flow to your kidneys causes fluid and water retention, leading to swelling of the ankles, legs, abdomen (called edema), and weight gain. Symptoms may cause an additional need to urinate at night. Constipation can cause loss of appetite or nausea. Dizziness, fatigue, and weakness; decreased blood flow to your major organs and muscles makes you feel tired and weak. Anemia in the brain can cause dizziness or confusion. Rapid or irregular heartbeat; The heart beats faster to pump enough blood into the body. This can cause a rapid or abnormal heartbeat. If you have heart disease, you may or may not have any of these symptoms. They may or may not show a weak heart.

What Kinds of Heart Failure? Systolic dysfunction (or systolic heart failure) occurs when the heart muscle does not hold enough energy, so there is less oxygen-rich blood pumped throughout the body. Diastolic dysfunction (or diastolic heart failure) occurs when the heart is normally congested, but the ventricles do not relax or tighten, and less blood enters the heart during normal filling. An echocardiogram calculator called an ejection fraction (EF), is used to measure your heart rate per rhythm to help determine if there is any systolic or diastolic dysfunction. Your doctor can discuss your condition.

How to Recognize Heart Failure? Your doctor will ask you many questions about your symptoms and medical history. You will be asked about any conditions you may have that can cause heart failure (such as coronary artery disease, angina, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and high blood pressure). You will be asked if you smoke and what drugs you take. You will also receive a thorough physical examination. Your doctor will listen to your heart and look for signs of heart failure and other illnesses that may be causing your heart muscle to weaken or become stiff. Your doctor may also prescribe additional tests to determine the cause and extent of your heart failure. These include: Blood tests; blood tests are used to check kidney and thyroid function and to check cholesterol levels and the presence of anemia. Anemia is a blood condition that occurs when there is not enough hemoglobin (a substance in red blood cells that makes the blood transport oxygen through the body) to your bloodstream. Blood test for natriuretic peptide (BNP) type B. BNP is a fluid that comes out of the heart due to changes in blood pressure that occur when heart failure increases or worsens. BNP blood levels rise as the symptoms of heart failure worsen and decrease when heart failure is stable. The BNP level in a person with a heart condition - even a person with a stable condition - may be higher than in a person with normal heart function. BNP levels do not correlate with heart failure. Chest X-ray; A chest X-ray shows the size of your heart and whether there is fluid accumulated around the heart and lungs. Echocardiogram; This test is an ultrasound that shows heart rate, structure, and function. The ejection fraction (EF) is used to measure how well your heart is beating at each rhythm to determine if systolic dysfunction or heart failure with stored left ventricular function is present. Your doctor can discuss your condition. Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG); EKG records the electrical energy that travels through the heart. Cardiac catheterization; This invasive procedure helps to determine if coronary artery disease is the cause of heart failure and constipation. Pressure Test; rare stress tests provide information about the risk of coronary artery disease.

Is There a Treatment for Heart Failure?

There are more treatment options available for heart failure than ever before. Strong control over your medication and lifestyle, coupled with careful monitoring, are the first steps. As the condition progresses, doctors who specialize in treating heart failure may offer more advanced treatment options. The goal of treating heart failure is to try to keep it from getting worse (reducing the risk of death and hospitalization), reducing symptoms, and improve quality of life. Other common types of medications used are ACE inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors), Aldosterone antagonists, ARBs (angiotensin II receptor blockers), ARNIs (angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors), Beta-blockers, Blood dilators, Digoxin, Calcium channel blockers, Diuretics, Heart pump medications, Potassium or magnesium, Selected sinus node inhibitors and Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulant. Your doctor may also recommend a program called cardiac resuscitation to help you exercise safely and maintain a healthy lifestyle. It usually includes personalized exercise, education, and tips to reduce your risk of heart disease, such as quitting smoking or changing your diet. Cardiac resuscitation also provides emotional support. You can meet people like you who can help you stay on track.


Samina Zaheer (Health Care, Health Tips)

 

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