Heart Failure Warning Signs

Congestive heart failure, also known as heart failure, is a condition in which the body cannot pump enough blood throughout the body. The heart becomes weak or stiff from high blood pressure or coronary heart disease and fails to pump blood adequately. Medications and lifestyle changes can help towards improving your survival rate against congestive heart failure.

Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure can occur as chronic heart failure or acute heart failure. In congestive heart failure, there is a backup of blood congesting the liver, abdomen, lungs and lower limbs. Chronic congestive heart failure refers to a buildup of the condition over time and acute congestive heart failure refers to a sudden onset of symptoms.

Chronic Congestive Heart Failure Signs

These symptoms occur over a long period of time and include shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, fluid retention, swelling in legs and feet, a persistent cough or wheezing, nausea and difficulty concentrating.

Acute Congestive Heart Failure Signs

Acute heart failure occurs when your heart is suddenly stricken with the inability to function correctly. The symptoms are similar to chronic heart failure, but are more severe and appear suddenly. Other symptoms might include a heartbeat so rapid that it may cause the heart to stop beating, severe shortness of breath with a coughing up of pink-like mucus and severe chest pain.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will listen to your heart and lungs for any signs of congestion. He then will order blood tests to look for a hormone called brain natriuretic peptide that is released into the bloodstream when heart failure occurs. A chest x-ray will show an enlarged heart and any fluid built up in the lungs. An ECG records electrical pulses from your heart and will indicate any irregularities in the rhythm of the heartbeat. An echocardiogram allows your doctor to see how well your heart is pumping and is one of the most important tests in confirming heart failure.

Medications

Medications can improve symptoms of congestive heart failure. ACE inhibitors which include Capoten and Vasotec widen blood vessels to lower blood pressure. Lanoxin slows your heartbeat and strengthens heart muscle contractions. Beta blockers such as Coreg reduces blood pressure and may improve heart function. Diuretics, or water pills, reduces excess fluid in your body. Lasix can also decrease fluid in your lungs helping you to breathe easier.

Surgery

When congestive heart failure is caused by a damaged heart valve, your doctor may recommend a procedure to repair or replace the valve. Coronary bypass surgery treats narrowed coronary arteries that are contributing to the heart failure. Defibrillators are devices implanted under the skin and attach to the heart monitoring the heart’s rhythm. Should the rhythm become dangerous the device will shock the heart back into a natural rhythm. A pacemaker sends electrical pulses to the heart’s lower chambers allowing it to pump more efficiently. Sometimes the heart has endured so much damage you may need a heart transplant, but wait times can take years.