Congestive heart failure (CHF) occurs when the heart valves no longer function properly, preventing blood from being pumped around the body and sent to key organs. If you are a victim of congenital heart failure, it is important to see a doctor immediately, so learn to recognize the symptoms of the disease when they first appear.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Recognizing the Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure
Step 1. Notice if you are short of breath
Shortness of breath is one of the characteristic symptoms of the disease (in particular of insufficiency of the left side of the heart). Shortness of breath can happen during physical activity, at rest, or while sleeping.
Shortness of breath can be caused by fluid in the lungs, or by the heart's inability to pump adequate amounts of blood during exercise
Step 2. Make a note of any cough or shortness of breath
In addition to shortness of breath while lying down, you may experience bouts of coughing, wheezing, or pulmonary crepitus.
Step 3. Note the presence of a dilated jugular vein
A visible symptom of the disease is the dilation of the jugular vein in a semi-standing position. The vein may pulsate with the heartbeat.
Step 4. Notice any swelling in your ankles, legs, or feet
Swelling can affect the legs, feet, and ankles as a result of poor circulation, which causes fluid to build up in the lower extremities of the body. This factor is known as peripheral edema.
One of the signs that your ankles and feet are swollen is when your shoes and socks are strangely tight
Step 5. Identify all symptoms of an enlarged liver
Hepatomegaly (an enlarged liver caused by the accumulation of fluids) is often a symptom of congestive heart failure. Signs of an enlarged liver include bloating and nausea.
Step 6. Note any swelling in the abdomen
As well as in the liver, fluids can build up in the abdomen due to CHF. This factor is known as ascites. Ascites causes abdominal distension (or bloating) and a feeling of bloating and nausea.
Step 7. Notice whenever you feel a lot of heat
Feeling excessive heat (while the people around us are fine) can be a symptom of CHF. The cause is poor circulation that does not allow the release of body heat.
Even if you feel very hot, the skin on your hands and feet may be cold and pale because these parts of the body are not getting enough blood
Step 8. Pay attention to feelings of weakness or dizziness
Other symptoms of the disease are fatigue and the feeling of lightheadedness following physical activity, which can force you to sit or lie down. Again, these are symptoms of poor blood circulation.
Step 9. Note any confused states of mind
Another possible symptom is mental confusion due to poor blood circulation to and from the brain. This mental confusion can manifest itself in the form of anxiety, irritability, depression and / or difficulty concentrating or remembering.
Part 2 of 2: Understanding Congestive Heart Failure
Step 1. Understand what congestive heart failure means
The key is in the term congestive. Congestion develops when the heart is unable to pump blood as fast as it should. This can happen because the heart muscle is too weak, or because the blood vessels distributed in the body are narrowed and constricted, which is why the heart muscle becomes exhausted.
- Malfunctioning valves can cause dilation of the heart chamber due to the return of blood, thinning of the myocardium, decreased ability to pump blood, and increased workload. Normally, the heart ventricles contract (while the atria relax) allowing each chamber to fill and empty. If the muscle wall of the left ventricle cannot contract properly, some of the blood remains in the ventricles.
- The blood then returns to the pulmonary blood vessels, the pressure in these vessels increases fluid losses into the lung tissue, producing congestion and eventually pulmonary edema (swelling). If left untreated, the return of blood will soon lead to heart failure of the right side of the heart. This condition is called congestive heart failure.
Step 2. Understand what causes congestive heart failure
Congestive heart failure is a complication resulting from other cardiovascular diseases, rather than being a disease itself. It is frequently due to a defect in myocardial contractions, which lead to subsequent myocardial failure. However, it can also be triggered by an acute hypertensive crisis, a ruptured aortic valve cusp, or a massive pulmonary embolism.
Step 3. Familiarize yourself with CHF treatment
There are many possible interventions in order to cure CHF. They typically include correcting the underlying causes of heart failure, such as hypertension or arrhythmia.
- Follow a low sodium diet and avoid drinking too much fluids.
- Get plenty of rest in bed and gradually reintroduce slow heart rate activities.
- Avoid emotional stress.
- Treat the disease with medications prescribed by your doctor, including diuretics, vasodilators, and ACE inhibitors.
