01 Aug Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
What is Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)?
When the heart doesn’t pump blood as efficiently as it should in order to maintain normal functioning of the human body, it is called congestive heart failure (CHF). Those with CHF will experience a range of symptoms that can include general fatigue, the inability to exercise, shortness of breath, and swelling in the legs, ankles, or hands.
Causes of congestive heart failure
Congestive heart failure is common in patients who have other conditions that weaken the heart. A few examples include high blood pressure, diabetes, and asthma. However, there are lifestyle factors that can affect the functioning of the heart that include:
- Obesity
- Abuse of drugs or alcohol
- Smoking
- Advanced age
CHF can also be exacerbated by certain stressors, such as pneumonia or a heart attack.
Stages of CHF
There are different stages congestive heart failure. The stages include:
- Stage A: Patients at this stage have an elevated risk of heart failure, but currently aren’t experiencing any symptoms of congestive heart failure.
- Stage B: Patients at this stage have developed heart disease which includes an enlarged left ventricle, or they’ve had a heart attack.
- Stage C: Patients at this stage show symptoms of CHF, or they have experienced symptoms but are currently undergoing treatment.
- Stage D: Patients at this stage require treatment from a specialist that may include a cardiac transplant or hospice care.
How to slow the progress of CHF
If diagnosed with CHF, there are a number of things a patient can do to slow the progress of the disease. They include:
- Stay at a healthy weight
- Exercise
- Manage stress
- Eat a healthy diet
- Monitor blood pressure
- Get the flu and pneumococcal pneumonia vaccines
A few additional rules to live by include avoiding caffeine, getting plenty of sleep, and avoiding extreme temperatures. Symptoms should be monitored and any changes should be reported to a doctor right away.