Congestive Heart Failure

What is congestive heart failure?

Congestive heart failure is a disorder that affects your heart's ability to pump blood. It happens when the heart muscle that contracts and releases to move blood around your body weakens.

Blood delivers essential oxygen and nutrients to all your organs and tissues. When you have congestive heart failure, the quantity of blood flowing along your arteries lessens to such a degree that the tissues don't get the sustenance they need.

As a result, your body can't function properly, and blood starts building up in your gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and limbs.

What is the cause of congestive heart failure?

Congestive heart failure may develop if you have:

• High blood pressure
• Arrhythmia
• Valve disorders
• Structural heart abnormalities
• Lung disease
• Cardiac tumors

Congestive heart failure is a frequent result of coronary artery disease (CAD). This condition arises when excess cholesterol in your blood forms a substance called plaque sticks to the sides of the arteries serving your heart. The plaque makes the blood vessels so narrow it restricts the flow of blood.

Another likely cause of congestive heart failure is cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease that limits its ability to pump blood.

What are the risk factors of congestive heart failure?

Several common factors can increase your chances of developing congestive heart failure, including:

• Your age (risk increases as you get older)
• High cholesterol
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Lack of exercise

If you have any of these risk factors, it's sensible to take action to reduce the likelihood of suffering congestive heart failure. You should act with some urgency if you can identify with multiple items from this list.

What symptoms can indicate I have congestive heart failure?

If you have congestive heart failure, you might experience symptoms such as:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty sleeping
• Bulging neck veins
• Infrequent urination
• Swollen arms, legs, or abdomen
• Cold limbs when resting

Symptoms of congestive heart failure vary depending on why your heart is failing. In some cases, the condition causes few or no symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage.

How is congestive heart failure treated?

The team at Affiliated Cardiologists of Arizona prepares a personalized treatment plan for you that considers your age, the severity of your condition, and your lifestyle. Some of the treatments in your plan might include:

Lifestyle changes

Changes you need to make might include eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, cutting down on alcohol, and losing weight.

Medications

Medications can reduce congestive heart failure symptoms and help improve heart function.

Implantable devices

Implantable devices include pacemakers and defibrillators that help regulate your heartbeat.

If you have congestive heart failure symptoms, call Affiliated Cardiologists of Arizona or schedule an appointment online today.