Congestive
Heart Failure “affects nearly six million Americans”. Every year nearly 670,000
people are diagnosed per year (Web-MD). In 2009, there was one in nine deaths
that included heart failure as contributing cause. Within 5 years of diagnosis,
about ½ of those who developed heart failure had died (CDC). Under the age of
60 there were 1.4 million people, between the ages of 60 and 69 there is more
5% of people, and between the age of 40 and 59 are present 2% of people who
have CHF (Emory Health).
Congestive Heart Failure is when “the
heart’s pumping power is weaker than normal” and the pressure in the heart
increases when the blood moves at a slower speed throughout the body and heart.
Also the hearts chamber may stretch and become stiff. Fluid may be retained as
a result of the muscles in the heart soon weakening and not allowing adequate
blood to be pumped. Heart Failure becomes congested once fluid builds up in the
arms, legs, lungs and other organs.
The causes of heart failure are consisting
of many conditions that damage the heart muscles. Like coronary artery disease,
heart attack, cardiomyopathy, and conditions that over work the heart.
Congested lungs, fluid/water retention, dizziness, fatigue, weakness, and rapid
or irregular heartbeats are the symptoms of CHF. There are two types of heart failure;
Systolic dysfunction and Diastolic dysfunction. Systolic dysfunction occurs
when the heart muscle doesn’t contract with enough force. Diastolic dysfunction
occurs when the heart contracts normally, but the ventricles do not relax
properly or are stiff.
The normal physical exam by a doctor
can help diagnose someone with heart failure. Other test that the doctor my
order to help determine heart failure are as follow: Blood tests, B-type
Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) blood tests, chest x-ray, echocardiogram ,the
ejection fraction (EF), stress test, electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG), or a
cardio catheterization. The treatments required after being diagnosed with CHF
are a tight control over medication and your lifestyle and careful monitoring
by your doctor. There are four stages of heart failure.
The first stage of heart failure is
Stage A. It is when people are at a high risk of heart failure, which includes
people with high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary artery disease, metabolic
syndrome, and family history of cardiomyopathy. The usual treatments required
are to exercise regularly, quit smoking, treat high blood pressure, and to
discontinue alcohol or illegal drug use. Stage B heart failure is the second
stage. It is when people are diagnosed with systolic left ventricular
dysfunction, but don’t have symptoms of heart failure, including people with
prior heart attacks, valve disease, or cardiomyopathy. The usual treatments for
this stage are the same as stage a, plus one should take ACE inhibitors. Stage
C of heart failure is when patients with known systolic heart failure and
current or prior symptoms that include shortness of breath, fatigue, reduced
ability to exercise. The usual treatment for stage c is having stage treatments
apply, and should take ACE inhibitor and beta-blockers, restrict dietary of
sodium, and monitor weight. Stage D, the final stage of heart failure, is
patients with systolic heart failure and presence of advanced symptoms after
receiving optimum medical care. The treatments from stages A, B, and C all
apply.
How to prevent heart failure from
getting worse? Well to start off take the prescribed medications. You should
always schedule regular doctor appointments. Keep your blood pressure low,
monitor symptoms and weight, maintain fluid balance, and limit how much sodium
intake. To prevent further heart damage one should stop smoking, control high
blood pressure and excise regularly. To maintain a quality of life with heart
failure is to eat a healthy diet, regular exercise, don’t overdo it, prevent
respiratory infection and take medication as prescribed.
Remember that no matter what happens
and what things we go through and what things affect us, we are all important
to someone. Having seen one go through having CHF and seen how bad things can
get, allows me to love her so much more than anything in the world.
