Congestive heart failure is a very difficult disorder for which there is no cure
Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart muscle stops pumping blood effectively. The usual causes are coronary artery disease or high blood pressure. The heart muscle is damaged during a heart attack, usually resulting in some degree of heart failure .
Symptoms of congestive heart failure include:
- Shortness of breath with activity or at rest.
- Fatigue and leg weakness.
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet.
- Dry or wheezing cough with white or pink mucus.
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
- Stomach fullness, bloating, hardening, loss of appetite, or upset stomach.
- Weight gain too quickly due to fluid buildup.
- Difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness.
- Decreased ability to exercise.
- Chest pain may occur if the congestive heart failure is caused by a heart attack.
Symptoms depend on the area of damage in the heart, which is easy to understand. Right-sided heart failure means that the right ventricle is too weak and not enough blood is getting to the lungs. As blood builds up in the veins, fluid is pushed into the tissues causing swelling in the legs and feet.
Left-sided heart failure means that the organs are not getting enough blood (oxygen), which causes fluid to build up in the lungs, causing shortness of breath or fatigue. This can cause
Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart muscle stops pumping blood effectively. The usual causes are coronary artery disease or high blood pressure. The heart muscle is damaged during a heart attack, which usually leads to some degree of heart failure.
Diagnosis of congestive heart failure
A diagnosis of congestive heart failure is made by starting with a cardiologist to evaluate symptoms. Testing may include the following tests:
- Cardiac MRI and CT scan.
- heart drawing.
- Nuclear heart disease studies.
- Echocardiogram.
- Cardiac MRI and CT scan.
- Heart collection.
- Electrophysiological studies.
- A blood test to detect type B natriuretic peptide (BNP).
BV-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a hormone that is a marker of the severity and prognosis of heart failure. For people who are not critically ill, a doctor may order a 24-hour Holter monitor or an exercise stress test.
Congestive heart failure treatment:
There is no cure for CHF, so treatment focuses on slowing further damage while preserving the heart. The exact treatment plan depends on the stage and type of heart failure.
Some of the medications commonly prescribed for CHF include:
- Vasodilator medications widen blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow while lowering blood pressure.
- Diuretics to fight fluid retention.
- Aldosterone inhibitors to help prevent fluid retention.
- ACE inhibitors or ARBs improve heart function and life expectancy.
- Digitalis glycosides potentiate contractions of the heart.
- Anticoagulants or antiplatelets such as aspirin to help prevent blood clots.
- Beta blockers improve heart function.
- Sodium glucose transport protein 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors work in people with or without diabetes to help reduce excess fluid.
- Sedatives reduce anxiety.
In some cases, stents may be placed in blocked arteries and some patients may require a pacemaker with a defibrillator. One type of pacemaker is called biventricular pacing therapy, because it helps both sides of the heart work in coordination.
The new treatment is Barostem Activation Therapy, in which baroreceptors are embedded in the walls of major arteries, veins, and the heart and are activated in response to an increase in blood pressure (BP) and/or blood volume.
Heart transplantation is a last resort, but the success rate is 88% for patients after one year and 75% after five years. Ventricular assist devices (VAD therapy) may be used for those awaiting a heart transplant.
Prevention of congestive heart failure
Methods for preventing rheumatoid arthritis are similar to preventing all diseases, and they include:
- Quit smoking, and avoid secondhand smoke.
- Lose weight if you are obese.
- Heart-healthy eating with less saturated fat and less salt.
- Manage stress - use relaxation techniques.
- Blood pressure management.
In conclusion
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a very difficult disorder for which there is no cure. Mild congestive heart failure can be treated.
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