Beware Of Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms

By Author: Rob Thomas
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Congestive heart failure is a condition in which the heart’s duty as a pump to transport oxygen rich blood to the body is inadequate to meet the body’s needs. Congestive heart failure can be initiated by:
1. Sickness that break down the muscles of the heart.
2.Diseases that increase oxygen need by the body tissue beyond the amount the heart can transport .
3.Diseases that cause stiffening of the heart muscles.
The heart has two atria (right atrium and left atrium) that make up the upper chambers of the heart, and two ventricles (left ventricle and right ventricle) that make up the lower chambers of the heart. The ventricles are thick chambers that pump blood when the muscles contract; this contraction of the ventricle muscles is referred to as systole.
Many diseases can disrupt the pumping action of the ventricles; heart attacks or infections (myocarditis) are the two main examples of how the ventricle muscles can be diminished . The weakened pumping ability of the ventricles due to muscle weakening is called systolic dysfunction. Following ...
... each ventricular contraction the ventricle muscles need to rest to allow blood from the atria to fill the ventricles. This relaxation is referred to as diastole.
In some patients, one or more of these circumstances may be present to result in congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure can disturb many organs in the body. For example, the weakened heart muscles may not be able to supply enough blood to the kidneys, which will then begin to lose their normal ability excrete salt (sodium) and water. This weakened kidney function can cause the body to store more fluid. This may cause the lungs to become crowded with fluid (pulmonary edema) and the person’s ability to exercise is decreased . Fluid may likewise lodge in the liver, thereby disturbing its ability to rid the body of toxins and supply essential proteins. The intestines may also become less effective in absorbing nutrients and medicines. Over time, untreated, worsening congestive heart failure will affect every organ in the body.
What are the symptoms of congestive heart failure?
The sign of congestive heart failure change among individuals according to the specific organ systems involved and depending on the extent to which the rest of the body has compensated for the heart muscle weakness.
Tiredness is an early symptom of congestive heart failure. While fatigue is a sensitive indicator of possible underlying congestive heart failure, it is obviously a nonspecific symptom that may be triggered by many other conditions. The persons exercising ability may also slow down. Patients may not notice this decrease and they may subconsciously reduce their activities to accommodate this limitation.
As fluid overloads the body from congestive heart failure, swelling (edema) of the ankles and legs or abdomen may be noticed.
Fluid may accumulate in the lungs, thereby causing shortness of breath, especially during exercise and when lying flat. There are even cases in which patients are awakened at night gasping for air.
Some may be unable to sleep unless sitting upright.
The extra fluid in the body may cause frequent urination, especially at night.
Storage of fluid in the liver and intestines may cause nausea, abdominal pain and reduced appetite.
About Author:
Rob Thomas writes about Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms and recommends the Cardiac Diet.