Congestive heart failure is a serious condition in which the
heart is not pumping efficiently.
It is a chronic condition that is the result of other cardiac
conditions.
Congestive heart failure does not mean the heart has completely
stopped.
In the early stages, heart failure may not have any
symptoms.
In the late stages of heart failure, the heart is unable to
meet the body's demand for oxygen.
Late-stage heart failure may also cause congestion in the lungs
or other problems throughout the body.
As a result of the lack of oxygen-rich blood flowing to the
body, the heart tries to work harder, which only makes the problem
worse.
According to current statistics from the American Heart
Association, there are about 5 million heart failure patients in
the United States.
In the United States, 550,000 new cases of heart failure
diagnosed every year.
Ten out of every 1,000 people over the age of 65 are diagnosed
with congestive heart failure in the United States each year.
Of newly diagnosed patients under the age of 65, about 80
percent of the men and 70 percent of the women will die within
eight years.
In people diagnosed with heart failure, sudden cardiac death
occurs at six to nine times the rate of the general
population.
Congestive heart failure may be classified by the portion of
the heart that it affects, by its involvement with the heart
rhythm, by the symptoms that are present or by the progressive
stage of the condition.
The two major underlying causes of the symptoms in heart
failure are excess fluid accumulation in the lungs or elsewhere,
and symptoms associated with reduced cardiac output that worsens
with exertion.
Symptoms of congestive heart failure may develop over a lengthy
span of time, even over a period of years.
The diagnosis of congestive heart failure is usually based upon
a medical history and complete physical examination.
The physical exam for heart failure includes a blood pressure
check, listening to your heart through a stethoscope and taking
your pulse.
Treatment for heart failure is generally designed to improve
any symptoms, to slow progression of the heart failure and to
prolong survival.
Doctors may also choose to treat the underlying conditions that
contributed to the heart failure.
Most women with congestive heart failure are advised to make
lifestyle changes regardless of the severity of their
condition.
Lifestyle changes may include modifying your diet, limiting
salt intake, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, learning
and practicing stress-management skills, quitting smoking and
getting appropriate amounts of rest and activity.
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