mens health > heart > congestive heart failure

Congestive Heart Failure

The older you get, the more likely you are to develop congestive heart failure.

Eight out of every one thousand people over the age of seventy are diagnosed with congestive heart failure. The good news is that congestive heart failure is treatable and often can be reversed all together.

What is CHF?

Congestive heart failure (CHF) sounds like your heart actually stops, but the truth is that it is a term used to describe a syndrome that weakens the heart and puts you at a much higher risk of having a heart attack. Basically it means that your heart isn’t working up to its full potential.

Your heart pumps oxygen through the blood to meet the body’s requirements. If you have congestive heart failure then your heart isn’t doing this properly. Congestive heart failure leads to the congestion of your tissues and organs, and can lead to the swelling of your legs and bloating in the bowels. If not treated in time congestive heart failure can be fatal.

The biggest contributors to getting a congested heart are high blood pressure, drinking too much alcohol, eating too much, suffering from a heart attack in the past and a deficiency in your heart such as a defective valve. Most of these things can be avoided earlier in your life so that you never develop congestive heart failure in the first place.

Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms

But let’s say you have congestive heart failure, but have not yet seen a doctor. What are the signs that will let you know that you are in trouble?

• A foamy, frothy cough that may be flecked with blood is a good indication of congestive heart failure.
• A swelling of the legs, feet and ankles is another good sign of congestive heart failure.
• Fatigue and weakness are often the first warning signs of congestive heart failure.
• Shortness of breath, even if you aren’t doing anything strenuous is another symptom of congestive heart failure.
• If you have a hard time breathing while lying flat, this is a good sign that you are suffering from congestive heart failure.
• If your urine is dark yes this is another sign of congestive heart failure.
• Rapid weight gains even if you didn’t really change your diet.
• Swollen neck veins, which sounds kind of gross, and is another good sign that you have congested heart failure.
• You are not very hungry.
• Restlessness, confusion and decreased memory may be a sign of congestive heart failure.
• Cold, sweaty, pale skin.

If you have any of the symptoms listed above, see your doctor right away. Your heart runs your entire body, messing with it is never a good idea and remember congestive heart failure left untreated can be fatal.

Jim Shaw