Congestive heart Failure Information You Need
| Basics |
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Inability of function of heart (CHF) is a syndrome in which the heart is unable to pump strongly enough to maintain normal blood circulation.
CHF usually develops slowly. A patient may go for years without symptoms. This slow onset and progression of CHF is caused by the heart's own efforts to deal with its gradual weakening.
An important distinction must be made between Acute Heart Failure and Inability of function of heart. Acute Heart Failure is a sudden, catastrophic condition caused by any cardiac or non-cardiac event that arrests effective heart action. Acute Heart Failure requires immediate emergency Favorable Effects. By contrast, Inability of function of heart occurs acutely but more often develops gradually. A person may live for years with Inability of function of heart as a chronic condition.
About 5 million people in the United States are affected by CHF, men more often than women, blacks more often than whites, and the elderly more often than younger persons. It is one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization of people aged 70 and older. Approximately 8 out of 1,000 people over the age of 70 are diagnosed with CHF. People are living longer, which puts them at risk for CHF. People who have other types of heart and vessel problem are also at risk for CHF.
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| Symptoms |
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The most common symptom of Inability of function of heart is Dyspnea . The breathing difficulties may occur at rest or during exercise. In some cases, congestion may be severe enough to Beneficial Effects or interrupt sleep.
Fatigue or easy tiring is another common symptom. As the heart's pumping capacity decreases, muscles and other tissues receive less oxygen and nutrition, and the body cannot perform as much work.
Persistent coughing is another common sign, especially coughing that regularly produces mucus or pink, blood-tinged sputum. The heart hides the underlying problem by making adjustments that delay the eventual loss in pumping capacity.
Symptoms of Inability of function of heart also include swelling, most often in the legs and ankles. Inability of function of heart affects the kidney's ability to dispose sodium and water, and this leads to further swelling.
There are two categories of Inability of function of heart: systolic and diastolic. In the systolic type of the problem, blood coming into the heart from the lungs may be regurgitated so that fluid accumulates in the lungs (pulmonary congestion). In the diastolic type, the heart muscle becomes stiff and cannot relax, leading to an accumulation of fluid in the feet, ankles, legs, and abdomen.
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| Prevention |
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Lifestyle changes are important in the Beneficial Effectsion of Inability of function of heart. They include dietary restriction of sodium (salt), weight control, exercise, quitting smoking and limiting the consumption of alcohol. Some other therapeutic measures that a patient can follow daily to Enhance relieve and Beneficial Effects the progression of Inability of function of heart are:
- Avoid physical and emotional stress.
- Avoid fatigue by planning rest periods.
- Avoid extremes in temperature.
- Control high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and diabetes.
- Eat a sensible diet of low calories, saturated fat, and salt.
- Start an aerobic exercise program approved by the doctor.
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| Causes |
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The heart loses some of its blood-pumping ability as a natural consequence of aging. However, a number of other factors, such as smoking, high cholesterol levels, High blood pressure (persistent high blood pressure), diabetes, abnormal blood sugar levels, and obesity, can also lead to a potentially life-threatening loss of pumping activity.
The most common underlying cause for Inability of function of heart is High blood pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases the risk of heart failure by 200 %, compared to those who do not have High blood pressure. The left ventricle must perform increased work to overcome the increased resistance due to high arterial pressure.
A second important risk factor for the problem is diabetes mellitus. Persons with diabetes have a three to eight-fold greater risk of heart failure than those without diabetes. Women with diabetes have a greater risk of heart failure than men with diabetes.
Cardiac Missing of regular heart beats, or irregular heartbeats, also raise heart failure risk. Any Malfunction of mind or body that causes abnormal swelling or thickening of the heart sets the stage for heart failure.
In some people, heart failure arises from problems with heart valves, the flap-like structures that Enhance regulate blood flow through the heart. Problem created due to harmful organisms in the heart are another source of increased risk for heart failure.
Other forms of cardiac problem, such as myocardial Due to lack of blood supply, death of certain tissue, valve problem, rheumatic heart problem, and certain types of congenital conditions, also increase the potential for developing heart failure. Secondary risk factors include smoking, obesity, and high cholesterol.
Finally, genetics contributes to the risk for certain types of heart problem, which in turn may lead to heart failure.
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| Diagnosis |
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Your doctor is the best person to diagnose and treat Inability of function of heart. The most common signs of Inability of function of heart are swollen legs or ankles or difficulty breathing. Another symptom is weight gain because of the build-up of fluid.
Inability of function of heart usually requires a Favorable Effects program of:
- Rest
- Proper diet
- Modified daily activities
- Drugs such as A.C.E. or angiotensin- converting enzyme inhibitors
- Some beta-blockers
- Digitalis
- increased urinations
- Vasodilators
The various drugs used to treat Inability of function of heart perform different functions. ACE inhibitors and vasodilators expand blood vessels and decrease resistance, allowing blood to flow more easily and making the heart's work easier or more efficient. Beta-blockers can improve the function of the left ventricle. Digitalis increases the pumping action of the heart, while increased urinations Enhance the body eliminate excess salt and water. When a specific cause of Inability of function of heart is discovered, it should be treated or, if possible, corrected. For example, in some cases Inability of function of heart can be treated by treating high blood pressure. Some are treated with surgery to replace abnormal heart valves.
Still, when the heart becomes so damaged that it can't be repaired, a more drastic approach, such as a heart transplant, should be considered.
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| Dietary Guidelines |
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Taking a diet rich in greens and plenty of magnesium and potassium is the key to a healthy heart. Pay conscious effort to avoiding red meats and caffeine and especially smoking. |
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| Home Care Suggestions |
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Drink at least one cup of mineral water daily. Remember that fluorinated water destroys vitamin E. |
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| Mind/Body Considerations |
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Apply hot compresses and massage the chest of the victim to ease the heart attack. |
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| Additional Information |
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Heart Care (Hawthorn) and Hawthorn Heart are the herbal products that contain a herb
hawthorn as a major ingredient. Hawthorn shows its favorable effects on heart health and
circulation. 1, 2, 3,
4, 5, 6 Another herbal product, Heart Response contains garlic that shows its
beneficial effects on overall heart function during problems associated with heart. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Heart
Science also has an important mineral magnesium shows its favorable effects on heart.
1, 2, 3, 7, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 Heart Support is a nutritional
supplement which contains combination of different nutrients and herbs. It contains an
important mineral magnesium which exhibits its wholesome effects on heart health. 1, 2,
3, 7, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 Heart Support also contains an important
nutrient CoQ10 which shows its positive effects on heart muscle activity and optimizes heart
performance. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13
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| Disclaimer |
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent any disease. |
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