Understanding Congestive Heart Failure

What is Congestive Heart Failure?
Congestive heart failure, otherwise knows as, CHF, is a term used to describe any condition in which the heart is unable to adequately pump blood throughout the body and/or unable to prevent blood from "backing up" into the lungs.  Usually the heart has been weakened over time by an underlying problem, such as clogged arteries, high blood pressure, a defect in the muscular walls or valves or some other medical condition.

What are the signs and symptoms?

• Shortness of breath
• Persistent coughing or wheezing
• Swelling of the legs and sometimes the abdomen (edema)
• Tiredness and fatigue
• Increased heart rate

How is CHF treated?
Treatment of patients with heart failure involves both the use of drugs and changes in patients' lifestyles. Successful treatment depends on the willingness to get involved in managing the conditions.

• Follow recommendations about diet, exercise and other habits to help alleviate symptoms and slow the disease’s progression to improve everyday life.  Some examples include quitting smoking, losing weight, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, eating a low-fat diet, exercising, reducing stress and visiting the doctor on a regular basis.
• Most people with heart failure take a number of medications that work in different ways.  Some help to improve circulation by strengthening the heart, while others reduce the heart’s workload.  Some of these medications include diuretics, beta blockers and oxygen therapy.
• Surgery is the other treatment option for heart failure.  In some cases coronary artery bypass surgery can ease heart failure symptoms by increasing blood flow to the heart.  If the heart has lost significant pumping capacity a heart transplant may be the only option.

While there is not yet a cure for CHF, its progress can be slowed and treated, quite often with improvement in symptoms.  Heart failure can be managed by taking medications and making healthy lifestyle changes.  These changes are often the key to leading a full and enjoyable life.