Congestive Heart Failure (Chf)
Description
The heart pums blood through the arteries and veins. When the heart malfunctions, it may lead to fluid backing up. Left sided heart failure results in fluid backing up into the lungs causing pulmonary edema and breathing problems, and right heart failure produces fluid in the legs (edema) and the abdomen (ascites). Congestive heart failure (CHF) can have many causes with the most common being high blood pressure (hypertension), heart attacks, viral heart infections (myocarditis), congenital heart defects, and valvular heart disease. Patients with known CHF can experience worsening symptoms if they eat too much salt, stop taking their medications or have another co-existing illness such as pneumonia.
Symptoms
Shortness of breath, shortness of breath laying flat (orthopnea), awaking suddenly gasping for air (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea), swollen legs (edema), distended abdomen (ascites), shortness of breath with exercise.
Tests
A history and physical exam will be performed. The goal is to identify the cause of the heart failure and reverse the adverse effects. Once the cause is identified the extent of the disease can be assessed by performing X-rays, blood tests and an echocardiogram.
- CBC
- Chem 12
- Troponin
- X-Ray
- EKG
Treatment
Therapy depends on the extent of the disease and the severity of the symptoms. Treatment includes: controlling the blood pressure with high blood pressure medications, increasing the urine output with diuretics, and maximizing oxygen with supplemental oxygen. Reversing the cause of the CHF exacerbation is essential to recovery. For more information contact the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Health Information Center at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov or call (301)592-8573.
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