Definition:
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is a condition where the heart does not have the ability to pump blood, which is different than cardiac arrest (heart has the ability to pump blood, but stops beating anyways). CHF is usually chronic, and also leads to blood buildup in the liver, GI tract and extremities, and the lungs. Right-sided heart failure leads to a blood pool in the GI tract and extremities, while left-sided heart failure leads to a blood pool in the lungs. Causes include hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart disease, and cardiomyopathy.
Symptoms:
- Weight gain
- Swelling (edema) of extremities and abdomen
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Nausea/vomiting
- Difficulty sleeping
- Fatigue/syncope
- Feeling the heart beat (palpitations)
- Decreased urine production
Diagnosis:
Treatment:
- Lifestyle Changes
- Reduce Salt Diet
- Reduce Fluid Intake
- Avoid smoking, alcohol, caffeine, and stress
- Medication
- Diuretics
- Digoxin
- Vasodilators
- Beta-blockers
- Anti-arrhythmics
- Nesiritide
- Surgery
