Download Understanding Congestive Heart Failure

Your treatment plan should include:
■
Taking your medications as directed. Do not
stop any medication without discussing it with
your physician. Be sure to report any side
effects to your medical provider.
■
Follow a diet in reduced sodium (salt).
■
Activity may be reduced depending on the
severity of your condition. Adequate rest is
a key part of your treatment plan.
■
Regular exercise as directed by your physician.
Exercise can include walking, bicycling and
other activities.
■
Lose weight if you are overweight.
■
Do not use tobacco.
■
Eliminate or reduce alcohol.
■
Weigh yourself every day. Fluid
retention can cause two - three pounds
of weight gain in a day. A daily record
of your weight is very important.
It is important to be your own best
health advocate. A good way to do that is by
committing to routine physical exams and
diagnostic tests as often as is recommended by
your cardiac specialist. Early detection of heart
disease is the key to effective treatment.
Understanding
Congestive
Heart Failure
Remember, successful treatment of heart
failure requires teamwork between you, your
family, and your physician. The earlier you
start treatment for heart failure, the better
your chances of maintaining energy, controlling symptoms, and preventing further
damage to your heart.
What are the risks?
There can be some risks involved with
certain diagnostic procedures, and in most
cases they are relatively minor. Please ask
your physician to discuss the risks and benefits
so that you are fully informed about any tests
you may have.
Remember ...
Saint Elizabeth
Regional Medical Center
www.SaintElizabethOnline.com
Saint Elizabeth
Regional Medical Center
Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure
(CHF), affects as many as three million
Americans. Although the term heart failure
sounds life threatening, it is a condition that
can often be controlled with diet, proper
medication and life-style changes.
How your heart works
The heart is a muscle that contracts in order
to pump blood through the body. The heart
consists of four chambers: the right atrium,
right ventricle, left atrium and left ventricle.
The heart also has four one-way valves to
maintain blood flow in one direction.
The arteries and veins are the roadways
The heart is working but not as effectively as it
should and may result in fluid build-up. It fails to
provide the body with the oxygen-rich blood and
nutrients that it needs. This is usually a chronic
condition that is treated but can not be cured.
Treatment can help prevent the build-up of fluid,
therefore reducing symptoms.
Causes of congestive heart failure:
■
Damage to the heart muscle that can occur
after a heart attack
■
Heart muscle disorder (cardiomyopathy)
■
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
■
Heart valve disease
■
Infection of the heart valves and/or muscle
How is
congestive heart
failure diagnosed?
If you are experiencing
symptoms of CHF, it is important
to seek medical attention. Your
physician will ask about your
medical history and your symptoms.
After a full physical examination,
your physician will assess the
condition of your heart and may
conduct the following tests:
■
Chest x-ray to check for heart
enlargement
■
Electrocardiogram (EKG) to assess
the electrical activity of the heart
and to diagnose abnormalities,
such as a previous heart attack
■
Echocardiogram (Echo) to check
valve function and heart size
by ultrasound
■
Nuclear MUGA test to evaluate the
pumping function of the heart
■
Cardiac catherization to diagnose
coronary artery disease and evaluate
for previous heart attacks
Pulmonary Artery
Pulmonary Vein
Vena Cava
Right
Atrium
Left Atrium
Left Ventricle
Right
Ventricle
through which blood is transported to
all parts of your body. The arteries
carry oxygen-rich blood from your
heart to the rest of your body. Veins
return the blood to the heart after
the oxygen has been used.
What is congestive heart failure?
“Heart Failure” is a condition in
which the heart is not able to
pump the amount of blood
needed to meet the
body’s needs.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of congestive heart failure may
include:
■
Persistent coughing or wheezing
■
Fatigue and weakness
■
Feeling of breathlessness while sleeping (unless
propped up on two or more pillows)
■
Unusual swelling in the lower legs and ankles
■
Sudden weight gain from fluid retention (two or
more pounds per day)
■
Shortness of breath during normal activities
How is congestive heart failure treated?
■
Lightheaded or dizzy
■
Increased heart rate
■
Lack of appetite, nausea, abdominal swelling
causing pain and/or tenderness
With the information obtained from your
tests, your physician will be able to determine
the best treatment plan. Whatever plan you and
your physician choose, it will be explained to
you in full detail.
In most cases, heart failure is a chronic
condition that will not go away, although it
can be successfully managed by taking
medications and making healthy changes in
habits such as diet and exercise.