Congestive Heart Failure Q & A

What is congestive heart failure?

Congestive heart failure occurs when your heart can't pump enough blood. The condition may begin due to weak or diseased heart muscles. Or your heart muscles may not relax enough to let the full amount of blood into your heart. Either way, congestive heart failure prevents blood from reaching organs and tissues in your body.

What causes congestive heart failure?

Congestive heart failure arises from health conditions such as:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD)
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart valve disease
  • Heart muscle inflammation (myocarditis)
  • Irregular heartbeat (heart arrhythmia)
  • Thyroid disease
  • Diabetes

 

Diabetes causes congestive heart failure when high blood sugar damages the blood vessels and nerves serving your heart.

What are the symptoms of congestive heart failure?

Congestive heart failure symptoms usually get worse over time, but they may appear suddenly. The symptoms include:

  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Irregular or rapid heartbeat
  • Difficulty exercising
  • Persistent cough
  • Need to urinate during the night
  • Loss of appetite
  • Swelling in your abdomen
  • Swelling in your legs, ankles, and feet

The swelling caused by congestive heart failure occurs when fluids build up in your body. That type of swelling is called edema.

How is congestive heart failure treated?

Advanced Heart Care Associates performs diagnostic tests such as an in-office electrocardiogram (EKG), echocardiogram, and stress tests. Then your cardiologist creates a treatment plan that includes:

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes may reverse or slow down progressive heart disease or help you avoid medications and procedures. Your provider outlines the changes you need to make in your treatment plan.

Medications

Your provider may prescribe medications for underlying conditions like hypertension or directly treat congestive heart failure. For example, congestive heart failure symptoms improve with medications that reduce the stress on your heart or improve the strength of muscle contractions.

Depending on the stage of your congestive heart failure, you may also need medications to eliminate excess fluids, relieve chest pain, and lower your risk of blood clots. Your cardiologist also provides anticoagulation management if you need a blood thinner.

Cardiac procedures

Your provider may recommend one of many possible devices or procedures to treat underlying heart conditions, including:

  • Biventricular pacemaker
  • Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
  • Mechanical heart pump
  • Angioplasty and stenting
  • Heart valve repair
  • Cardiac resynchronization therapy

 

If you experience chest pain or any symptom of congestive heart failure, call Advanced Heart Care Associates or book an appointment online today.