Congestive Heart Failure: Signs and Symptoms, Treatment, and More
Have you ever felt something wrong with your body, such as swollen legs or hands? Don’t avoid them, because they are the early signs of congestive heart failure (CHF). According to clevelandclinic.org, over 6 million people in the USA are suffering from CHF. It is a serious condition that can lead to death if precautions are not taken on time. Especially, if you are a heart or diabetic patient, you need to go for regular check-ups. The data says the condition is noticeable in elderly people (aged above 65).
What is Congestive Heart Failure?
Congestive heart failure is a condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood, which can lead to swollen lungs, feet, and legs. In this condition, the heart muscle is difficult to contract over time. As the heart cannot pump enough blood, it collects in the other organs. The condition does not mean that your heart is about to fail. It means the heart is not working as efficiently as it should be. In the USA, one in four people have the condition. It is important to notice the early signs of congestive heart failure.
Different Stages of Congestive Heart Failure
CHF is a condition that can worsen over time. It has four different stages, such as stages (A, B, C, and D). Let’s learn about each of them in detail:
Stage A:
It is the first stage of congestive heart failure where you have a higher chance of developing the condition. However, you don’t feel any difficulty during typical physical activity. There are high chances of developing the condition if you have hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and more. Furthermore, you can overcome the conditions by changing your lifestyle and heart medications.
Stage B:
It is the second stage of congestive heart failure where you feel difficulty during physical activity. You may feel fatigue or shortness of breath. However, it can also be managed by changing lifestyle and taking heart medications. At this stage, your left ventricle will not work normally.
Stage C:
At stage C of heart failure, you have or have had symptoms of the condition. You may feel fatigued by doing normal physical activities such as exercise and running. Taking medical help is important at this stage. Consult with a specialist as soon as possible.
Stage D:
It is the final stage of heart failure where you cannot do physical activity normally and highly develop the symptoms. The worst is that there is no cure at this stage. You need to take a complete bed rest.
Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms and Causes
There are many causes and early signs of congestive heart failure that are important to know. Let’s check them out:
Symptoms
Here are the major symptoms of heart failure:
- Tiredness
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing or wheezing
- Swelling in ankles, legs, and abdomen
- Weight gain
- Chest pain
- Loss of appetite
- Increased heart rate
- Bloated Stomach
- Feeling confused
Causes
The causes of heart failure include:
- Coronary artery disease
- Cardiomyopathy
- Heart attack
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Arrhythmia
- Kidney disease
- Heart issues present at birth
- Usage of alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs
Diagnosis
During the diagnosis, your doctor will ask some health-related questions and then run a few tests. Moreover, the tests include:
1. Blood tests
A blood test is important to check the abnormal blood cells, the condition of the kidneys, and the thyroid gland. Moreover, the doctors check your cholesterol level and anaemia. They also check BNP level (a hormone that increases the chances of heart failure).
2. Cardiac catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is a test run to check the blockage of coronary arteries. In this test, the doctor inserts a small tube in the blood vessels from the upper thighs, arms, or wrists. The test has two types: right heart catheterization (RHC) and left heart catheterization (LHC).
3. Chest X-ray
Chest X-ray is an important test run to check the size of the heart. It also checks if there is fluid present in the chest or lungs. Also, it is one of the most important and common tests doctors recommend.
4. Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart to check its structure and movement. The test results if the heart has poor blood flow or muscle damage. Furthermore, it shows the accurate measurement of the left ventricle’s ejection fraction.
5. Heart MRI
Heart MRI is an important test in which the machine takes several static and moving pictures. It shows if the heart has damage or a hole.
Treatment
Heart failure has no cure, but there are some treatments that can reduce the e ffects. It slows the damage and relieves the symptoms. However, treatments depend on the stage of Congestive heart failure. Below are some treatments that can be used by all-stage patients:
1. Lifestyle Changes
There are many lifestyle changes that can treat heart failure in its early stages. Moreover, the changes include weight loss, exercise, a low-sodium diet, reduced smoking and alcohol usage, stress management, enough sleep, and drinking more fluid.
2. Medications
Some of the medications for heart failure that can control the damage from heart failure are:
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme, ACE inhibitors to relax the blood vessels.
- Beta-blockers reduce blood pressure, improve heart functions, slow the heart rate, and increase the chances of living longer.
- Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar and blood pressure.
- Tranquilizers are helpful for reducing anxiety, stress, and tension.
- Diuretics and aldosterone reduces the presence of extra fluid in the body.
3. Surgical Treatment
- Coronary bypass surgery
- Heart valve repair or replacement
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillator
- Cardiac resynchronization therapy
- Ventricular assist device
Bottom Line
Congestive heart failure, or heart failure, is a condition where the heart does not pump enough blood. Some major congestive heart failure symptoms include tiredness, shortness of breath, cough or wheezing, and swelling in ankles, feet, and legs. Furthermore, taking medications for heart failure is important as it can reduce the chances. The treatment includes lifestyle changes, surgical procedures, and medicines.
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