Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Heart diseases, such as congestive heart failure, are of the most common diseases that lead to severe complications, and they also lead to death, in some cases, if they aren’t managed quickly.

Congestive heart failure (CHF)

Congestive heart failure is a chronic condition that causes the heart to not be able to pump enough blood as the body needs; therefore, this blood builds up in other places, and most often in the lungs, legs, and feet.

Congestive cardiac failure could occur in the right or left side of the heart, and mostly in the left one.

CHF occurs more in people older than 65 years old.

Risk factors of congestive heart failure (CHF)

• Sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle.
• Smoking.
• Family history.
• Having too much salt and fat.
• Some medications, like chemotherapy.
• Recreational drugs.

Causes of congestive heart failure (CHF)

• Cardiomyopathy.
• Hypertension.
• Diabetes.
• Kidney disease.
• Coronary artery disease.
• Heart attack.
• Myocarditis.
• Obesity (BMI bigger than 30).
• Arrhythmia.
• Congenital heart disease.

Symptoms of congestive heart failure (CHF)

• Chest pain.
• Shortness of breath.
• Waking up at night due to the short breaths.
• Increases tiredness when being active.
• Heart palpitations.
• Swelling in the abdomen, legs, and ankles.
• The need to urinate at night.
• Dry cough.
• Weight gain.
• Nausea.

Complications of congestive heart failure (CHF)

• Pulmonary hypertension.
• Liver or kidney damage.
• Problems in the heart valves.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Sudden cardiac arrest.
• Sudden death.

Diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF)

• Patient’s medical history.
• Physical exam.
• Specific heart tests.
• Imaging tests.
• Blood tests.

Treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF)

• The treatment depends on the disease’s stage. CHF is mostly divided into four stages that are graded in severity.
• Usually, the treatment includes medications, surgery when needed, and in extremely severe cases that didn’t respond to other treatments, a heart transplant.

Prevention of congestive heart failure (CHF)

• Follow a healthy diet.
• Exercise regularly.
• Lose weight if you need.
• Avoid smoking.
• Avoid drugs.
• Manage stress.