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Congestive Heart Failure Information

By: Juliet Cohen Home | Health-and-Fitness | Diseases-and-Conditions


Heart failure can be a serious and long-term condition. Congestive heart failure (CHF), or heart failure, is a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to the body's other organs. Congestive heart failure can be caused by weaken the heart muscle, stiffening of the hear muscles and increases oxygen demand by the body tissue beyond the capability of the heart to deliver. Congestive heart failure can affect many organs of the body. Heart failure also affects the kidneys' ability to dispose of sodium and water. The retained water increases the edema. The symptoms of congestive heart failure vary among individuals according to the particular organ systems involved and depending on the degree to which the rest of the body has "compensated" for the heart muscle weakness.

Heart failure typically doesn't occur suddenly. It develops slowly, over time. It's usually a chronic, long-term condition. The early symptoms are often shortness of breath, cough, or a feeling of not being able to get a deep breath. Other symptoms develop as the body tries to compensate for the heart's reduced pumping ability. The heart beats faster, its muscle thickens and the ventricles may stretch to accommodate more blood. Damage to the ventricles may cause them to pump out of sync, further reducing the efficient delivery of blood to the body. Rapid or irregular heartbeat with palpitations. Causes of acute heart failure include heart attacks, viruses that attack the heart muscle, severe infections, allergic reactions, blood clots in the lungs, the use of certain medications or any illness that affects the whole body.

These conditions can suddenly and drastically affect the deteriorating heart's ability to pump. The treatment of CHF focuses on treating the symptoms and signs of CHF and preventing the progression of disease. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors drugs help people with heart failure live longer and feel better. Diuretic therapy is indicated for relief of congestive symptoms. Beta-blockers is particularly useful for those with a history of coronary artery disease. Some prevention is also helpful in heart failure. Do not smoke and avoid alcohol use. Treat your high blood pressure with diet, exercise, and medication if necessary. Aerobic exercise is also helpful for congestive heart failure patients, has been shown to be beneficial in maintaining overall functional capacity, quality of life, .

Congestive Heart Failure Treatment snd Prevention Tips

1. Do not smoke.

2. Avoid alcohol use

3. Restricting salt and fluid intake is often recommended.

4. ACE inhibitors have been used for the treatment of hypertension.

5. Vasodilators, such as nitroglycerin, which open up narrowed vessels.

6. Digoxin (Lanoxin) has been used in the treatment of congestive heart failure.

7. Aerobic exercise is also helpful for congestive heart failure patients.

8. Diuretics are often an important component of the treatment of congestive heart failure to prevent.



Article Source: http://www.eArticlesOnline.com

About the Author:
Juliet Cohen writes articles for Women Health. She also writes articles for Early Pregnancy and Pregnancy Calendar.

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