Known by many as congestive heart failure or CHF, it is a serious health condition that affects people of every gender and race. It is deemed by many as one of the leading causes of hospitalization in the United States and most of its victims are above the age of 65. And, unlike the other types of heart disease that are less common, congestive heart disease is continually growing.
Such disease occurs when the heart losses its capability to pump blood properly. It is subsequently coupled with the accumulation of fluid in the heart and other organs of the body, particularly the lungs.
There are two main processes in the heart that contribute to the development of the disease. In one hand, the disease may appear as a result of an improper contraction of the heart, also known as pump failure. On the other hand, this illness may be due to the heart not relaxing completely. There are also some instances that heart failure may be caused by a combination of both cases. In either case, congestive heart disease is a condition that is potentially life-threatening.
Congestive heart disease often appears with a number of varying signs and symptoms. Typically, in severe cases, swelling of the feet and legs, also known as edema, may appear. … This is coupled with difficulty breathing, shortness of breath (dyspnea), weakness and fatigue. In most advanced cases, such illness can be felt with difficulty breathing while lying on the back, also called orthopnea. It is further interesting to know that in certain periods of the disease there is an association with wheezing, cardiac asthma and coughing.
Numerous studies state that the most potential causes of this health problem are hypertension, as well as a history of heart attacks. Both of these conditions are said to be potent for causing CHF as they alter the proper functioning of the heart, leaving the organ weak and incapable of pumping enough blood. There are also some studies which noted that the condition can also be due to certain problems in the heart valves, heavy use of alcohol and irregularities in the heart rhythm.
With the risk factors of congestive heart disease being identified, several treatments are now emerging. However, since the disease appears with varying symptoms and degrees of severity, it is best to talk to your doctor before opting for one of the available treatments. This is by far the most important move you can ever make.
Source: articlecircle.com
