Symptoms and Signs of Heart Failure
It’s a terrifying moment for many patients: the moment when the doctor enters their hospital room and informs them they are suffering from congestive heart failure. Many people do not know what congestive heart failure is or what it means for their life.
Congestive heart failure occurs when for whatever reason the heart is unable to effectively pump the blood through the body. When the heart is stressed beyond its ability to function it is weak and this is when an attack usually happens. There are many primary coronary artery diseases but congestive heart failure, usually a secondary disease, has the poorest prognosis. It may also follow a myocardial infarction, renal failure, sepsis or severe anemia.
Different effects on the body can be seen when the heart is unable to work correctly as each side of the heart has a different function. The patient can experience difficulty in breathing if the left side of the heart has failed, this leads to accumulation of fluid in and around the lungs. If it is the right side that fails the excess fluid accumulates in the venous system, giving the patient a generalized edema that becomes more severe as their condition deteriorates.
Dyspnea is the prevalent symptom in congestive heart failure, although the severity will vary from patient to patient.~Congestive heart failure has a prevalent symptom and is called Dyspnea,this will vary from patient to patient.} Some will possess perfectly normal pulmonary function until under exertion, such as exercising, walking up stairs or mowing their lawn. These patients will also become easily fatigued due to a lack of oxygen to the tissues. Heart failure will also cause a condition known as pitting edema, in which the body retains fluid to the point that when pressure is applied to specific spot on the body the indentation remains (non-pitting edema is not caused by heart failure)
Treatment of congestive heart failure consists primarily of treating the symptoms. Vital signs should be taken regularly, and often diuretics will be prescribed to facilitate expulsion of accumulated fluid from the body. Intake and output of fluids should be measured very carefully while staying in the hospital. Patients will probably be placed in an upright position to assist in moving fluid from around the heart and lungs, given potassium supplements and prescribed bed rest for a period of time. BUN levels and serum creatinine, potassium, sodium, chloride and bicarbonate levels are monitered frequently by a physician.
There are several factors that contribute to congestive heart failure and, if diagnosed, should be treated and maintained. These include hypertension, anemia or poycythemia, endocrine disorders, malnutrition, drug or alcohol use and obesity. Therefore, it is very important that patients suffering from congestive heart failure pay particular attention to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A lot of stress can be placed on the heart and lungs if the correct diet is not adhered to, a good diet plan can be established with the aid of your doctor.
Using prescribed medication and maintaining a close relationship with your physician can help those patients who suffer from heart failure. While there is no cure for congestive heart failure following a few simple rules can help you lead a fairly normal life.
