Complete Preventive Steps for Congestive Heart Failure Problems - Houston Cardiologist

1. Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), also called chronic heart failure or congestive cardiac failure (CCF), is an ongoing condition in which the heart muscle is weakened and can’t pump as well as it normally does. The main pumping chambers of the heart (the ventricles) become larger or thicker, and either can’t contract (squeeze) or can’t relax as well as they should. This triggers fluid retention, particularly in the lungs, legs and abdomen. As a result, fluid accumulates in the heart and other organs and spreads gradually into surrounding tissues. This fluid accumulation occurs in the section of the heart that is deteriorating. You have four heart chambers. The upper half of your heart has two atria, and the lower half of your heart has two ventricles. The ventricles pump blood to your organs and tissues, and the atria receive blood as it circulates back from the rest of your body. Congestive heart failure develops when your ventricles can’t pump blood in sufficient volume to the body. The major causes of CHF include coronary heart disease, hypertension, cardiomyopathy and other heart diseases. Causes of Congestive Heart Failure: The heart is a double pump made up of four chambers. Deoxygenated blood from the veins enters the right upper chamber (right atrium or auricle), is passed to the right lower chamber (right ventricle), and then pumped to the lungs. Oxygenated blood from the lungs enters the left upper chamber (left atrium or auricle) and then enters the left lower chamber (left ventricle). The blood is then pumped around the body, under pressure, via arteries. In a person with Congestive heart failure, the left ventricle does not empty properly. This leads to increased pressure in the atria (upper chambers) and the nearby veins. This backlog of blood triggers fluid retention in the lungs, abdominal organs and legs. This affects the kidneys, interferes with their function and leads to retention of salt and water, causing oedema. Signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure vary from person to person. Most commonly, the Symptoms Include: Distended or swollen neck veins An increase in urination at night Cold, sweaty, dusky colored skin Difficulty breathing while lying flat Heart palpitations, Decreased urine output Shortness of breath with or without activity Unexplained or unintentional rapid weight gain Fatigue or weakness—often the initial symptom Rapid or irregular pulse, Loss of appetite or indigestion Swelling of legs, feet and ankles, abdomen, liver, spleen and lungs A chronic dry or frothy cough that may be blood-tinged or resemble foam Changes in behavior such as restlessness, confusion, decreased attention span and memory

2. Congestive heart failure is an underlying symptom of another cardiac disease. The condition is treatable and its effects are often reversible. The most common causes are: Cardiomyopathy High blood pressure Abnormal heart rhythm Coronary artery disease Congenital heart defects Heart valve abnormalities Excessive alcohol and drug abuse Infection of the heart valves and/or heart muscle itself Past heart attack with scar tissue that interferes with the heart muscle's normal work Congestive heart failure can be life-threatening. It’s important to get immediate medical treatment for it. Seek counsel from our Heart Doctors in Houston if you suspect you are suffering from Congestive Heart Failure for the best treatment options for you. Advanced Cardiovascular Care Center 800 Peak wood Drive, Suite 8C Houston, TX 77090 Phone: 281-866-7701 Fax: 281-866-7705