Congestive heart failure CHF is a chronic dangerous disease that affects millions of people all over the globe of the world. In this type of progressive medical disorder the heart stops to pump blood efficiently. When this happens it leads to build up of fluid in the lungs and other body tissues. So due to its complexity it is very important to understand its symptoms and find out effective treatment options in order to manage this situation more comprehensively and also improve the quality of life. So this important article is all about this. Let’s get started.
Understanding Congestive Heart Failure
When we talk about congestive heart failure it is very important to understand what it actually is. Congestive heart failure is not a disease itself. It is a syndrome that is the result of various heart issues that creates problems in the ability of functioning of the heart smoothly. There are a lot of conditions related to that for example hypertension, coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction commonly known as heart attack.
Just understand the primary function of the heart in our body. The primary function of the heart is to pump blood that carries oxygen throughout the body. When this process disturbs due to any reason the blood flow slows down. In this case, blood returns to the heart through the vein. This process causes congestion in the tissues that are actually what we are talking about at the moment.
Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure
As we said earlier, congestive heart failure is a complicated disease and it has various symptoms from minor to severe. Here we are going to talk about some common symptoms in this whole picture. Let’s have a look.
Difficulty in Breathing
Most famous and one of the alarming symptoms in case of congestive heart failure is difficulty in breathing. Now the question is why it became very difficult for the heart to carry oxygenated blood. It is because fluid stores in the lungs and makes it really very difficult for the lungs to oxygenate the blood. So when this happens the patient starts feeling difficulty in breathing mostly during physical activities.
Fatigue and Weakness
So in case of congestive heart failure the ability of the heart reduces to pump blood in an efficient manner. It means a small amount of Oxygen and nutrients reaches to the body tissues. In this way a patient feels fatigue and weakness in the body.
Swelling
It is very common in case of congestive heart failure that fluid retains and this fluid often appears as swelling in the legs, feet and ankles. Sometimes the abdomen also affects it.
Persistent Cough or Wheezing
Another common but serious indication in case of congestive heart failure is the persistent cough and anxiety or Wheezing. In this case a white or pink type of blood mucus came from the mouth. This happens due to the buildup of fluid in the lungs.
Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat
When it becomes very difficult for the heart to pump blood then the heartbeat becomes irregular or rapid. So a patient feels some rapid heartbeat that becomes the reason for many other diseases also. So if you feel that your heartbeat is fast and regular then it can be the sign of congestive heart failure.
Increased need to urine at night
One of the common but most alarming situations in case of congestive heart failure is the increasing need to urinate at night. This is because of fluid reabsorption from the tissues into the bloodstream. So lying down actually increases that fluid which results in producing urine in an accessible amount.
Difficulty Concentrating or Confusion
When someone is facing congestive heart failure issues then it is somehow common that concentration becomes very difficult. This is obvious because the reduction in blood flow in the brain makes it very difficult for a person to concentrate anything. So there are common examples of it such as memory loss, confusion and difficulty concentrating.
Lack of Appetite and Nausea
Due to the difficulty and blood flow the problems of digestion arise. In this way a patient can experience reduction in appetite and Nausea. If you find this type of indication then consult your professional health care provider for comprehensive diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnosing Congestive Heart Failure
Diagnosis is really very important in order to detect possible issues in any type of disease. So in case of congestive heart failure it is very important to diagnose its symptoms at an early stage in order to get an effective treatment. So in this important segment of the article we are going to talk about possible effective diagnosis options that you have to take in this regard.
Blood Test
One important diagnosis option for you is to test your blood in order to identify underlying issues that are actually contributing towards congestive heart failure CHF. This blood test enables you to check the functionality of the kidney, liver and thyroid properly. Besides that, the blood test also measures the level of B-type natriuretic peptide. The heart actually produces this type of hormone due to the failure of its functionality.
Electrocardiogram ECG
Electrocardiogram commonly known as ECG is another effective diagnosis option for you. ECG is used to record the electrical activity of the heart. From ECG you can check out complete details of previous Heart attacks and other heart related issues in a comprehensive way. It can also identify abnormal rhythms as well.
Echocardiogram
Echocardiogram is another effective diagnosis option for you in order to create a comprehension image of the heart structure and function. The purpose of this test is to check out whether the heart is pumping normally or if there are some irregularities.
Chest X-ray
One of the important diagnosis tests is the chest X-ray which is performed in order to show the size and shape of a heart. It also tells you the possible build up of fluids in the lungs.
Stress Test
It is very important to know how your heart performs under the physical stress. For this purpose a stress test is a good option to diagnose reasons of congestive heart failure. By performing this type of test possible coronary artery disease can be identified.
Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac Catheterization is somehow a painful process that is used to measure the heart pressure within the Chambers of the heart. In this process a catheter which is actually a tube is inserted through the blood vessel to the heart. By doing this the complete and detailed images of the coronary arteries are obtained.
Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure
It is a fact that congestive heart failure is a chronic disease but with the help of proper treatment you can manage it to a great extent. Here in the following we will talk about some treatment options that you can take if you feel one of the above mentioned symptoms.
Lifestyle Changes
You can get maximum results by changing your lifestyle not only in case of congestive heart failure but also in any type of disease. Some of the changes that you can take in your daily routine are as follows.
Dietary Modification
If you feel that you have some heart issues especially in case of congestive heart failure then the first change that you have to make is modification in your diet. Immediately reduce salt that you take in your diet. Try to take those foods in your daily routine that are rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
Regular Exercise
Taking regular exercise is not only good in this case but also for your overall health. Try to do some physical activities that will help to make your heart strong and healthy. Physical activities also improve your overall cardiovascular health. So now the question is what the suitable exercise for the heart is. You should go to your health care provider because he is the only man that will give you a comprehensive exercise plan.
Weight Management
Overweight is the root cause of most diseases. It is very important for everybody to keep their weight in a balanced way. When you keep your weight of the body in control then you are actually making it easy for your heart to work easily and smoothly. If you monitor your weight on a daily basis it will help to detect fluid retention at an early stage.
Limiting Alcohol and Tobacco
If you are a heart patient then it is very important to quit smoking and reduce alcohol.
Medications
There are several medicines that are used in case of congestive heart failure. Every medicine is recommended for different conditions of heart failure. Let’s talk about one by one.
ACE Inhibitors and ARBs
ACE Inhibitors are recommended in order to lower blood pressure and reduce the working load of your heart. The primary function of these medicines is to relax blood vessels.
Beta Blockers
Beta blockers are used in order to slow down heart rate and reduce blood pressure. They overall help to improve Heart functions.
Diuretics
Diuretics are recommended to eliminate excessive amounts of fluid from your body. By doing this it will help to reduce swelling and keep your breathing in a normal mode.
Aldosterone Antagonists
Aldosterone Antagonists are very helpful to manage the balance of fluid and reduce the possibilities of congestive heart failure.
Digoxin
Digoxin is highly recommended to control the heart rate. The function of this type of disease is to make the contractions of the heart strong.
Vasodilators
The important thing in case of congestive heart failure is the problem in the pumping of the blood. Vasodilators are recommended highly in order to make it very easier for the heart to pump the blood. The function of this type of medicine is to relax blood vessels.
Surgical Treatment
Surgical treatments are very important for that time when the congestive heart failure problem becomes very severe and complex. Here are some most important and commonly used surgical treatment options that we are talking about right now.
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Coronary artery bypass grafting, simply known as CABG, helps to improve blood flow to the heart by bypassing blocked coronary arteries.
Heart Valve Repair or Replacement
It is possible to repair or remove those heart valves which are damaged and not properly functioning.
Besides that, implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators, ventricular Assist devices are also used in order to monitor heart rhythm and make blood flow easier.
Heart Transplant
When all the methods go in vain then they leave the only solution which is heart transplant.
Managing Congestive Heart Failure
It is better to keep a check on your own health especially on symptoms that we have talked about earlier. At this stage of the article, we are going to tell you about effective management options in cases of congestive heart failure. Let’s have a look.
Regular Monitoring
Regular monitoring is the key to success in CHF. An affected person should keep a close eye on the symptoms on a daily basis. Patients should monitor their weight, blood pressure and fluid intake consistently. If you feel any sudden changes then you must consult your professional healthcare provider immediately.
Take Regular Medicine
It is very important to take prescribed medicine in time. Because in this way you can control symptoms and can prevent further complications. In order to remain safe from any possible side effects of the medicine that you’re taking you should keep in touch with your physician.
Education and Support
It is very important for a patient to keep in touch with support groups in order to get emotional support and practical guidance in this time of complexity. So it is the duty of their beloved ones to educate patients about congestive heart failure disease for better and effective treatment and management.
Managing Comorbid Conditions
Studies show that many patients who have congestive heart failure issues have many other complicated diseases as well such as diabetes and chronic kidney diseases. So it is very important for your overall health that you manage these conditions in an effective way.
Advanced Care Planning
Those patients who have serious congestive heart failure issues need extra care and planning. For this purpose it is important to create an advanced care plan in order to make sure that their wishes are fulfilled and respected.
Conclusion
Congestive heart failure CHF is a very challenging medical disorder that can only be managed through a comprehensive approach. It becomes very crucial to understand what its symptoms are. By identifying root causes, you will be in a position to go for better treatment options. There are a lot of treatment approaches that a patient has to follow. Try to change your lifestyle and consult your professional healthcare provider for professional advice on this matter. By engaging yourself from support groups and regular medical checkup are the compulsory components for a successful congestive heart failure management. So with the right care and guidance a lot of people start to live a happier life.