Congestive heart failure, also known as CHF or heart failure, is a life-threatening condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood the other organs of the body. The flow of blood out of the heart decreases causing blood in the veins returning to the heart to back up. This causes fluid to leak out of the blood vessels resulting in congestion in the tissues. This congestion often leads to swelling called edema. Edema occurs most often in the legs and ankles but can occur in other tissues also. Edema in the lungs causes difficulty breathing especially when lying down. Heart failure reduces the kidneys' ability to remove sodium and water from body fluids, which makes edema worse. The failing heart keeps working hard but cannot get fresh blood to other parts of the body causing extreme fatigue even with minor exertion. The most common symptoms of heart disease are swollen legs or ankles, shortness of breath with activity or when lying down, and weight gain from fluid retention.

There are many causes of heart failure. Coronary artery disease that causes narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to heart muscle, past heart attack that scars heart muscle, high blood pressure, heart valve disease from rheumatic fever, birth defects or other damage to heart valves, disease of the heart muscle itself called cardiomyopathy, and infections of the heart valves or heart muscle itself (endocarditis or myocarditis) are some of the more common causes of heart failure.

When a specific cause of CHF can be identified, it is treated or corrected. For example, if heart failure is caused by an abnormal heart valve, that valve is surgically replaced. CHF treatment usually involves rest, changes in diet, modification of daily activities, and the use of medications.

Dietary measures involve reducing fat, salt and sodium. Lifestyle measures include not smoking, avoiding the use of alcohol, controlling weight, and regular exercise. It is also important that patients weigh themselves daily to watch for weight gain, a sign of fluid retention. Various types of drugs are used to treat CHF. Diuretics (water pills) help eliminate sodium and excess fluid. Blood-pressure-lowering medications called ACE inhibitors reduce blood pressure and allow blood to flow more easily, which decreases how hard the heart has to work and lets it function more efficiently. Beta blockers and digoxin improve heart function. Most people with mild to moderate heart failure can be treated. Some patients may require a pacemaker to help improve heart function. Serious cases may require a heart transplant to prolong life.

Reference: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4585, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000158.htm.

THE TOTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER OF TAOS, 575-737-5810, AVAILABLE FOR DISEASE AND MEDICATION CONSULTATIONS BY APPOINTMENT.

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