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An Overview Of Congestive Heart Failure

An overview of congestive heart failure
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently to the various organs in the body. This happens when the muscles in the heart are either blocked or restricted. The weakened muscles are then unable to perform effectively. Due to this, blood and other fluids eventually start getting back up inside the lungs, the liver, or the abdomen. In most cases, CHF occurs on the left-sided as the left ventricle loses its efficiency. This can lead to breathing difficulty as the fluid can build up in the lungs and the condition worsens. Although uncommon, the right-side CHF occurs when the right ventricle is unable to pump enough blood to the lungs. Fluid then may build up in the veins, and it may further leak into the tissues and other organs. Biventricular failure takes place when both sides of the heart fail at the same time. CHF is a life-threatening condition; hence, immediate medical treatment for CHF and consultation are advised as soon as one notices the symptoms associated with this health condition.

What are the CHF stages?
CHF occurs in four stages, and they are explained in detail below:

Class I – In class I CHF, an individual does not experience any symptoms while performing usual physical activities. At this stage, CHF can be managed by incorporating lifestyle changes, heart medications, and regular monitoring.
Class II – In class II CHF, an individual is more likely to be comfortable while resting; however, usual physical activities may cause shortness of breath, fatigue, and palpitations. At this stage, CHF can be managed through careful monitoring, heart medications, and lifestyle changes.
Class III – In class III CHF, an individual may be comfortable while resting, but there is a prominent limitation of physical activities. Even a mild form of exercising may cause shortness of breath, fatigue, and palpitations. At this stage, treatment for CHF is complicated.
Class IV – In class IV CHF, an individual is unable to perform any physical activity without suffering from the symptoms, and these symptoms are also present while resting. At this stage, there is no cure for CHF. Treatment includes quality-of-life and palliative care options.

What are the symptoms of CHF?
Symptoms of CHF may be severe or mild and they may be consistent or occasional. Some of the common symptoms of CHF to look out for are:

Congested lungs : An individual might experience difficulty breathing after performing exercises or when in the bed. Dry coughing and wheezing is also an indicator of congested lungs.
Swelling : As the heart is pumping less blood, the organs experience water retention leading to a swelling in certain body parts like the ankles, the legs, and the abdomen. A bloated stomach may cause nausea.
Dizziness : Less blood in the crucial organs makes one feel weak, tired, and fatigued. Also, less blood flow in the brain can cause confusion and dizziness.
Frequent need of urination : The body needs to get rid of excess fluid; hence, it may make an individual feel the need to urinate frequently, especially, at night.
Irregular heartbeats : As the ventricles are unable to push harder, the heart beats faster to pump enough blood for the body. As the heart weakens, this becomes common.
Chest pain : Chest pain radiates through the upper body.
Blue skin : The skin develops a blue hue/tint. This happens because of the lack of oxygen in the lungs, a result of heart failure.
Fainting : As the body is weak without enough blood flow in the organs and the brain, an individual might faint.

How is CHF diagnosed?
After seeking medical consultation, the doctor may refer an individual to a specialist. This may include a physical examination. The different types of tests to diagnose CHF are:

MRI scan
Stress test
Blood tests
Echocardiogram
Cardiac catheterization

How is CHF treated?
There are several methods used to treat CHF, some of which are mentioned below:

Lifestyle changes – Some lifestyle changes can help in relieving the symptoms as well prevent CHF from getting worse. These changes include quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, restricting salt intake, limiting fluid intake, engaging in moderate exercises, eating healthy, etc.
Medications – Several medications can be used to treat CHF including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as benazepril, captopril, enalapril, and fosinopril; beta-blockers, such as acebutolol, atenolol, and bisoprolol; and diuretics like thiazide diuretics, loop diuretics, and potassium-sparing diuretics.
Surgery – If medications alone are ineffective, more invasive procedures may be needed. One option is an angioplasty that helps open up the blocked arteries. The cardiologist may also consider a heart valve repair surgery to help the valves open and close properly.

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