The Symptoms Of Congestive Heart Failure

By Author: Rob Thomas
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Congestive heart failure is a condition in which the heart’s function as a pump to transport oxygen rich blood to the body is inadequate to meet the body’s needs. Congestive heart failure can be triggered by:
1.Diseases that weaken the muscles of the heart.
2.Diseases that build up oxygen demand by the body tissue beyond the capability the heart can transport .
3.Diseases that cause tension of the heart muscles.
The heart has two atria (right atrium and left atrium) that form the upper chambers of the heart, and two ventricles (left ventricle and right ventricle) that form the lower chambers of the heart. The ventricles are buff chambers that release blood when the muscles contract; this contraction of the ventricle muscles is called systole.
Many health problems 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 weakened . The slowed pumping ability of the ventricles due to muscle weakening is called systolic dysfunction. After each ventricular ...
... contraction the ventricle muscles need to rest to allow blood from the atria to fill the ventricles. This resting state is called diastole.
In a few people, one or more of these factors may be present to result in congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure can affect 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 slowed kidney function can cause the body to store more fluid. This can cause the lungs to become filled with fluid (pulmonary edema) and the person’s ability to exercise is decreased . Fluid may also rest 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, congestive heart failure will affect every organ in the body.
The symptoms of congestive heart failure differ 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.
Drowsiness is an early sign of congestive heart failure. While drowsiness is a sensitive indicator of possible underlying congestive heart failure, it is obviously a nonspecific symptom that may be caused by many other conditions. The persons exercising ability may also slow down. Patients may not notice this reduction and they may subconsciously reduce their activities to accommodate this limitation.
As fluid fills 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 rest 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 decreased appetite.
About Author:
Rob Thomas writes about Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms and recommends the Cardiac Diet.