Heart Failure

Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic progressive condition that affects the pumping power of your heart muscle. While often referred to simply as heart failure, CHF specifically refers to the stage in which fluid builds up within the heart and causes it to pump inefficiently.
The best way to avoid congestive heart failure is to avoid the conditions that contribute to it or to carefully manage these conditions if they develop. Stop smoking—better yet, don't start. It's a major factor in arterial damage that can cause heart failure.
Symptoms

Fatigue

common

Swollen neck vein

common

Irregular heartbeat

common

Difficulty breathing

  • During sleep, Occurs when lying flat

  • Occurs or worsens with exertion

  • Recurrent

common

Cough with mucus or without mucus

  • Dry

  • Occurs or worsens at night

  • Lasting 4 weeks or more

common

Cold hands or feet

common

Swelling in lower leg

  • In both lower legs

or Enlarged feet or ankle

  • In both feet or ankles

common

Confusion

common

Swollen belly

common

High urine output

or Decreased urine

common

Recent unexplained weight gain

common

Rapid heart rate

Frequent urination

Risk factors

History of coronary artery disease

Abnormal heart muscle

High blood pressure disease

Valvular heart disease

Pregnancy

  • With a history of heart disease

Any problem with rate or rhythm of heartbeat

Kidney failure or on dialysis

Alcohol consumption

Any thyroid disease

Treatment
Treatment includes: 1-Vasodilators expand blood vessels, ease blood flow, and reduce blood pressure. 2-Diuretics correct fluid retention. 3-Aldosterone inhibitors help with fluid retention and improve the chances of living longer. 4-ACE inhibitors or ARB drugs improve heart function and life expectancy.
Recommended specialist

If you have Heart Failure, then visit a cardiologist as soon as possible.

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Cardiologist

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