Congestive heart failure: what is it, symptoms and treatment
January 27, 2022Categories: Heart Care
Heart failure simply means that your heart’s pumping action is weaker than normal and cannot meet your body’s need for blood flow. Heart failure can occur when the heart’s pumping action is normal, but the heart muscle is stiff and will not relax. This interferes with the heart’s ability to fill with blood and meet the body’s blood flow needs. A weakened heart muscle can also affect other parts of the body and put you at risk for other conditions, like kidney disease.
Common causes of heart failure
A few causes of heart failure include:
- Coronary artery disease: blockage of blood vessels in the heart; usually from a previous heart attack
- Heart muscle disorder
- Cardiomyopathy: weakened heart muscle
- Heart valve disease
- High blood pressure
- Irregular heart beat (atrial fibrillation)
- Virus infection
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Diabetes
- Sleep apnea
- Obesity
Heart failure symptoms
Many of the symptoms of heart failure are associated with congestion of fluids into the lungs and leak into tissues. Other symptoms can occur when not enough oxygen-rich blood gets to the body.
If you experience any of these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately.
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing during daily activity or when lying flat
- Swelling in your feet, ankles, legs, fingers or belly
- Weight gain; three to five pounds over 24 hours
- Increased urination at night and decreased urination during the day
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Sudden or severe chest pain
- Severe shortness of breath
- Unexplained sweating or weakness
- Trouble talking
- Weak legs or arms
Can you recover from congestive heart failure?
While heart failure cannot be cured, it can be treated so that you may still lead your fullest life. Heart failure medications may help you feel better. Treatment may reduce fatigue, shortness of breath and swelling. Treatment can also maintain and restore energy and reduce further damage of the heart muscle.
Other important measures include:
- Each morning, weigh yourself after urinating and record your weight
- Take your medications as directed by your physician
- Carry a list of medications with you wherever you go
- Limit salt and sodium intake
- Stop smoking completely
- Stay active
- Focus on getting eight hours of sleep
