Actually, heart failure, sometimes called HF, means that the heart isn't pumping as well as it should. Congestive heart failure is a type of heart failure that requires timely medical attention, although sometimes the two terms are used interchangeably.
Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, is a condition that develops when your heart doesn't pump enough blood for your body's needs. This can happen if your heart can't fill up with enough blood. It can also happen when your heart is too weak to pump properly.
As the heart weakens, blood begins to back up and force liquid through the capillary walls. The term “congestive” refers to the resulting buildup of fluid in the ankles and feet, arms, lungs, and/or other organs.
Congestive heart failure is a long-term condition that happens when your heart can't pump blood well enough to give your body a normal supply. Blood and fluids collect in your lungs and legs over time. Medications and other treatments help manage symptoms like swelling.
Congestive heart failure, sometimes called CHF, requires quick medical attention. However, sometimes doctors use the terms congestive heart failure and heart failure interchangeably. As blood flow out of the heart slows, blood returning to the heart through the veins backs up.
Congestive heart failure has four stages. It begins with stage I — sometimes called class I or pre-heart failure. It then progresses over time to stage IV, sometimes called class IV or advanced heart failure. Treatment recommendations and symptoms are different depending on the stage.
In general, more than half of all people diagnosed with congestive heart failure will survive for 5 years. About 35% will survive for 10 years. Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic, progressive condition that affects the heart's ability to pump blood around the body.
Surgery. Medicines are the main treatment for heart failure, but for some people surgery may help. Operations that can help with heart failure include: heart valve surgery.
Warning signs and symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath, chronic coughing or wheezing, swelling, fatigue, loss of appetite, and others. Heart failure means the heart has failed to pump the way it should in order to circulate oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.
Symptoms can develop quickly (acute heart failure) or gradually over weeks or months (chronic heart failure).
Generally, heart failure starts on the left side – specifically, the left ventricle, your heart's main pumping chamber. Heart failure often occurs after another condition has weakend the heart. Any of the below conditions can weaken the heart and cause heart failure: Coronary artery disease and heart attack.
Although heart failure is a serious condition that progressively gets worse over time, certain cases can be reversed with treatment. Even when the heart muscle is impaired, there are a number of treatments that can relieve symptoms and stop or slow the gradual worsening of the condition.
What is mild congestive heart failure? Clinical studies have shown that approximately 50% of patients with heart failure have a relatively normal or slightly reduced heart function.
In general, about half of all people diagnosed with congestive heart failure will survive 5 years. About 30% will survive for 10 years. In patients who receive a heart transplant, about 21% of patients are alive 20 years later.
Patients with congestive heart failure have a high incidence of sudden cardiac death that is attributed to ventricular arrhythmias.
It is possible to lead a normal life, even if you have Heart Failure. Understanding and taking control of Heart Failure is the key to success. Your doctor and healthcare providers will provide guidelines and a treatment plan. It is your responsibility to follow the treatment plan and manage your Heart Failure.
Ms Eriksen recommends doing an aerobic activity (something where you're moving most of your body, which will increase your heart and breathing rate a little, such as moving to music or walking around) and resistance work, where you add light weights to build muscle strength.
Stage 2 of Congestive Heart Failure
Stage two of congestive heart failure will produce symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations after you participate in physical activity.
Little robust evidence exists regarding the optimal blood pressure target for patients with heart failure, but a value near 130/80 mmHg seems to be adequate according to the current guidelines.
The lungs fill with fluid, causing shortness of breath. The kidneys, when they don't receive enough blood, begin to retain water and sodium, which can lead to kidney failure. With or without treatment, heart failure is often and typically progressive, meaning it gradually gets worse.
Stage I is considered “pre-heart failure.” High-risk individuals include patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and coronary artery disease. A family history of alcohol abuse, rheumatic fever, cardiotoxic drug therapy, or cardiomyopathy can increase your risk.
Patients with heart failure are at risk of dying suddenly so it's important to have conversations early about their wishes for their care. An experienced health professional who knows the patient well should talk to them and the people important to them about their care towards the end of their life.