Congestive Heart Failure

What is it?

• The Heart isnt able to pump blood normally
• Systolic dysfunction- Blood isn't being pumped to the rest of the body by the heart normally. (Takes allot more work leads to fluids backing up into the lungs )
• Diastolic dysfunction- Heart cant accept all the blood being sent to it.

Etiology(Causes)

• Coronary Artery Disease- Linked to heart failure do to it narrowing the arteries causing a limited supply of blood to go into the heart.
• Heart Attack- Heart attacks put you at a greater risk of developing CHD

More Causes

• Unhealthy life styles- Such as smoking or binge eating fast/unhealthy food.
• Persistent High Blood Pressure- Causes the heart to continously pump blood harder diminishing its pumping power over time

Symptoms of CHF

• Edema- Swelling in the feet, legs, ankles due to abnormal fluid build-up.
• Breathing Difficulties while laying down.
• Edema- Swollen feet, legs, ankles, due to the accumulation of fluids.

The People Affected

• More than 5 percent of the people diagnosed are people in their 60-65's
• Other people with a high risk factor of being diagnosed with CHF are people with poor eating habits and people that smoke.

How to treat it

• healthy eating and exercise!
• Other treatments include, discontinuation of smoking, and monitoring sodium intake.

What if its a little more severe?

• Doctor can prescribe medicine such as Eplerenone or Spironolactone, which help the body eliminate excess salt and water. (Helps with edema/ high or low blood pressure)