Congestive heart failure, also known as heart failure, is a chronic progressive condition that affects the pumping power of your heart muscle. Although not curable, early detection and treatment may help improve a person’s life expectancy. Those individuals, with this condition, who follow a treatment plan that includes lifestyle changes often have improvement in their symptoms that may help improve their quality of life.
What is congestive heart failure?
This condition is now commonly referred to as heart failure. The term can be frightening. It does not mean the heart has “failed” or stopped working. It means the heart does not pump as well as it should. Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart muscle does not pump blood as well as it should. When this happens, blood often backs up and fluid can build up in the lungs, causing shortness of breath. Congestive heart failure is a major health condition in many countries, affective mainly people over the age of 65. There are many causes of heart failure. Certain heart conditions, such as narrowed arteries in the heart (coronary artery disease) or high blood pressure, gradually leave the heart too weak or stiff to fill and pump blood properly.
What are some symptoms of congestive heart failure?
Heart failure can be ongoing (chronic), or it may start suddenly (acute). Signs and symptoms include the following:
• Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down
• Fatigue and weakness
• Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Reduced ability to exercise
• Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged mucus
• Swelling of the belly area (abdomen)
• Very rapid weight gain from fluid buildup
• Nausea and lack of appetite
• Difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness
• Chest pain if heart failure is caused by a heart attack
You should see your doctor if you think you might be experiencing signs or symptoms of heart failure.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is often made following a detailed clinical history and examination, and a series of investigations. Results of tests to diagnose heart failure help doctors determine the cause of any signs and symptoms – and decide on a treatment plan.
Treatments for heart failure
Treatment for heart failure usually aims to control the symptoms for as long as possible and slow down the progression of the condition.
Common treatments include:
• lifestyle changes – including eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and stop smoking
• medicine – a range of medicines can help. Many people need to take 2 or 3 different types
• devices implanted in your chest – these can help control your heart rhythm
• surgery – such as a bypass operation or a heart transplant (These are not available in Anguilla.)
Treatment will usually be needed for life. Heart failure is a serious long-term condition that will usually continue to get slowly worse over time. It is very difficult to tell how the condition will progress on an individual basis.
It is very unpredictable. Many individuals remain stable for many years while, in some cases, it may get worse quickly.
Complications
Complications of heart failure depend on the severity of heart disease, your overall health and other factors such as your age. Possible complications can include:
• Kidney damage or failure. Heart failure can reduce the blood flow to your kidneys, which can eventually cause kidney failure if left untreated. Kidney damage from heart failure can require dialysis for treatment.
• Heart valve problems. The valves of the heart, which keep blood flowing in the right direction, may not work properly if your heart is enlarged – or if the pressure in your heart is very high due to heart failure.
• Heart rhythm problems. Heart rhythm problems may lead to, or increase your risk of, heart failure.
• Liver damage. Heart failure can cause fluid buildup that puts too much pressure on the liver. This fluid backup can lead to scarring, which makes it more difficult for your liver to work properly.
Prevention
Individuals with congestive heart failure can control or eliminate many of the risk factors for heart disease by making healthy lifestyle changes – and by taking the medications prescribed by your doctor.
Lifestyle changes you can make to help prevent heart failure include:
• Not smoking
• Controlling certain conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes
• Staying physically active
• Eating healthy foods
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Reducing and managing stress
Conclusion
Heart failure is a very common chronic heart problem. Heart failure means that the heart is unable to pump blood around the body properly. It usually occurs because the heart has become too weak or stiff. There is at present no cure, but there are treatments that can help lessen symptoms and prevent progression of this disorder. If you have symptoms suggestive of heart failure you should see your doctor for an evaluation and management.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field is ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over thirty eight years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 4975828).
