Heart failure
https://www.patientslikeme.com/conditions/heart-failure
Also known as: CHF, congestive heart failureContent medically reviewed byDr. Kabir SethiDM, CardiologyView full profile onLinkedInWhat is Heart failure?Treatment optionsNutritional adviceHow is this diagnosed?Symptoms & ReportsSymptoms & ReportsIf you are experiencing new, severe, or persistent symptoms, contact a health care provider.Heart failure may be symptomless or range from mild to severe. Symptoms may be constant or infrequent and may include:Congested lungs – Fluid filled lungs resulting in shortness of breath, dry cough, or wheezingFluid and water retention – Results from reduced blood supply to kidneys, in turn leading to swollen ankles, legs, and abdomen (body swelling), weight gain, increased frequency of urination at night, loss of appetite, and/or nauseaReduced blood supply to vital organs – Results in dizziness, tiredness, weakness, and confusionRapid or irregular heartbeatsWeight gainChest painFainting in severe cases Congested lungs – Fluid filled lungs resulting in shortness of breath, dry cough, or wheezing Fluid and water retention – Results from reduced blood supply to kidneys, in turn leading to swollen ankles, legs, and abdomen (body swelling), weight gain, increased frequency of urination at night, loss of appetite, and/or nausea Reduced blood supply to vital organs – Results in dizziness, tiredness, weakness, and confusion Rapid or irregular heartbeats Weight gain Chest pain Fainting in severe cases Poor feeding Excessive sweating Difficulty breathing Causes include: Coronary artery disease (CAD) – Reduced blood supply to heart muscles because of blocked or narrowed arteries Heart attack – Completely stopped blood supply to heart muscles, permanently damaging them Cardiomyopathy – Damaged heart muscles because of infection, alcohol or drug abuse Overworking of heart – because of high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, heart defects at birth, defective valves of the heart, obesity Ethnicity – Common among African Americans Risk factors include Uncontrolled high blood pressure Uncontrolled Diabetes Certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antiarrhythmic drugs Sleep disorders Viral infection to the heart muscles Obesity Excessive alcohol consumption Irregular heart beat Keep a check on your blood pressure Learn to identify the symptoms of heart failure and monitor your symptoms Maintain an ideal height to weight ratio Take your medications as prescribed at the right time Visit your doctor regularly Quit smoking or chewing tobacco Let your doctor know if you are on any other medication, including for acidity and diabetes Get help for emotional or psychological support Kidney damage or kidney failure due to reduced blood flow Heart valve problems Abnormal heart rhythm or arrhythmias Liver damage
Congested lungs – Fluid filled lungs resulting in shortness of breath, dry cough, or wheezing
Fluid and water retention – Results from reduced blood supply to kidneys, in turn leading to swollen ankles, legs, and abdomen (body swelling), weight gain, increased frequency of urination at night, loss of appetite, and/or nausea
Reduced blood supply to vital organs – Results in dizziness, tiredness, weakness, and confusion
Rapid or irregular heartbeats
Weight gain
Chest pain
Fainting in severe cases
Poor feeding
Excessive sweating
Difficulty breathing
Causes include:
Coronary artery disease (CAD) – Reduced blood supply to heart muscles because of blocked or narrowed arteries
Heart attack – Completely stopped blood supply to heart muscles, permanently damaging them
Cardiomyopathy – Damaged heart muscles because of infection, alcohol or drug abuse
Overworking of heart – because of high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, heart defects at birth, defective valves of the heart, obesity
Ethnicity – Common among African Americans
Risk factors include
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Uncontrolled Diabetes
Certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antiarrhythmic drugs
Sleep disorders
Viral infection to the heart muscles
Obesity
Excessive alcohol consumption
Irregular heart beat
Keep a check on your blood pressure
Learn to identify the symptoms of heart failure and monitor your symptoms
Maintain an ideal height to weight ratio
Take your medications as prescribed at the right time
Visit your doctor regularly
Quit smoking or chewing tobacco
Let your doctor know if you are on any other medication, including for acidity and diabetes
Get help for emotional or psychological support
Kidney damage or kidney failure due to reduced blood flow
Heart valve problems
Abnormal heart rhythm or arrhythmias
Liver damage
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