Heart Failure, Congestive Heart Failure

Basics

Heart Failure or Congestive Heart Failure is a disease in which the heart muscle weakens and as a result hinders the ability of the heart to efficiently pump blood. In some cases, this weakening can be caused as a result of a heart attack, but in many cases the coronary arteries are normal.
There are two main categories of heart failure--systolic and diastolic:
Systolic heart failure occurs when the heart's ability to contract decreases. The heart cannot pump with enough force to push a sufficient amount of blood into the circulation. Blood coming into the heart from the lungs may back up and cause fluid to leak into the lungs, a condition known as pulmonary congestion.
Diastolic heart failure occurs when the heart has a problem relaxing. It cannot properly fill with blood because the muscle has become stiff, losing its ability to relax. This form may lead to fluid accumulation, especially in the feet, ankles, and legs.
Approximately 4.6 million Americans are living with congestive heart failure. It occurs in approximately 10 out of 100 people, and becomes more prevalent with advancing age.

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Symptoms

Shortness of breath resulting from excessive fluid in the lungs.

Fatigue, weakness or faintness

Swelling of the feet, ankle, legs and at times even the abdomen; arising from fluid accumulation or edema.

Persistent coughing, particularly that which produces mucous, or pink, blood-tinged sputum.

Irregular or rapid pulse.

Loss of appetite or indigestion.

Nausea and vomiting.

Decreased alertness or concentration

Skin discoloration bluish (cyanosis) or yellow (jaundice)

Decreased urine production

Decreased alertness or concentration

Infants may sweat during feeds or other exertion.

Because heart failure usually develops slowly, the symptoms may not appear until the condition has progressed for some time. The heart hides the underlying problem by making adjustments that delay--but do not prevent--the eventual loss in pumping capacity.

Prevention

Structural or functional causes of heart failure include:

Coronary Heart Disease
Hypertension or High Blood Pressure
Metabolic Disorders like thyroid abnormalities, vitamin deficiencies (thiamine, ascorbic acid etc), endocrine abnormalities (acromegaly, diabetes mellitus etc), and other rare disorders (e.g., porphyria).
Infectious diseases like hepatitis viruses, adenovirus, arbovirus, cytomegalovirus, echovirus, influenza virus, and HIV.
Exposure to toxic substances.
Excessive consumption of alcohol.
Obesity
Smoking
A diet high in fat and salt.
Cocaine abuse
Negative inotropic drugs such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers.

Causes

Following a life style, which includes regular exercise, a diet low in saturated fat, cholesterol and salt will minimize the risks of heart failure. Smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol intake and mental stress should also be avoided. Hypertension, high cholesterol levels and diabetes must be controlled.

Diagnosis

Doctors are usually able to diagnose the condition of heart failure through a physical examination. He will look for shortness of breath, fatigue and swollen ankles or feet. He will also check for the presence of risk factors, such as hypertension, obesity, and a history of heart problems.

A variety of tests may be carried out in order to ascertain the presence of this condition:

An Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) will record the electrical activity of the heart, showing the abnormal rhythms and detecting heart damage, if any.
Through an Echocardiography sound waves bounced off the heart are recorded and translated into images that can reveal abnormal heart size, shape and movement.
The Chest X-Ray helps to determine heart size and shape as well as the presence of congestion in the lungs.

Your physician may perform certain other tests required to diagnose heart failure:

Nuclear Heart Scans (MUGA, RNV)
Urinalysis
Multiple blood studies including CBC, blood chemistry and others.
A coronary angiography.

Dietary Guidelines

Nutritional measures, which include taking vegetables and fruits, a diet that is not rich in fats and calories. Taking plenty of water is helpful in preventing heart failure.

Home Care Suggestions

These include exercise and caring for the heart. The best way to do that is to restructure your life style and eating habits. Learn to relax and enjoy life. Open your mind to relaxation techniques.

Mind/Body Considerations

Any time that we are dealing with cardio vascular diseases the mind body connection is extremely important. If you internalize stress you will always be at a higher risk for developing heart diseases. Stress causes adrenal hormones that when combined with nicotine and alcohol dramatically raise cholesterol level and predispose the human body to all kinds of diseases