Congestive heart failure: All you need to know about this condition

Congestive heart failure is a condition that affects a large cross section of the global population. It can turn fatal if not addressed on time. Here's a low-down on the condition.

By: Editorial Team | Edited by: Saswati Sarkar | | Published: January 9, 2020 5:52 pm

Congestive heart failure may be caused by diastolic or systolic dysfunctions.

Congestive heart failure, widely referred to as heart failure, affects millions across the globe. This is a potentially fatal ailment that occurs when your heart is unable to pump enough blood to the body. Fluid build-up around the heart is responsible for the impediment of this cardiac function Also Read - MDH owner Dharampal Gulati dies of cardiac arrest: Watch out for the warning symptoms

TYPES OF CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE

Heart failure attacks you through two routes: Systolic and diastolic dysfunction. In case of systolic heart failure the force with which your heart muscles pump isn’t adequate. So, there is a dearth of oxygen-rich blood that is pumped through the body. Diastolic dysfunction, on the other hand, is a condition where your ventricles become stiff allowing less blood flow to the heart. Also Read - Healthy sleep habits help lower risk of heart failure, reveals a study

WHAT CAUSES CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE?

There are certain conditions that can damage or weaken your heart. Heart failure is the result of a weakened heart. It generally starts with the left side of your heart. The most common causes of heart failure have been found to be coronary artery disease (blockage or narrowing down of the arteries), fault in the valve of the heart, cardiomyopathy (infection of the heart muscle), elevated blood pressure levels, so on and so forth. Thyroid disorder, diabetes, anaemia and kidney ailments can overwork your heart and lead to its failure. Also Read - World Heart Day 2020: Why taking care of your heart is more important than ever during COVID-19?

WATCH OUT FOR THESE SYMPTOMS

Unfortunately, a heart failure doesn’t always come with the warning of symptoms. Also, the manifestations vary, depending on the degree to which you are affected. Here are the symptoms you need to watch out for: Difficulty in breathing (due to congestion in the lungs caused by fluid backing up), swollen ankles and legs (caused by fluid build-up), irregular heart beat, increased urge to pee, especially during the night time.

TESTS FOR HEART FAILURE

Your symptoms and medical history are the cardiologist’s first diagnostic tool. Other conformatory tests include blood tests to determine cholesterol levels and figure out if thyroid and kidney are performing their duties well. These two organs are the worst hit in case of a heart failure. Imaging tests like chest X-ray, MRI, angiogram, and ECG may also be required.

MANAGING THE CONDITION

The standard line of treatment includes oral drugs like ace inhibitors or vasolidators, beta blockers and diuretics. While ace inhibitors help in open up your narrowed blood vessels and amp up blood flow, beta blockers are used to control blood pressure and heart rhythm. Doctors suggest to reduce

fluid retention in the body. In severe cases, surgical interventions like angioplasty or heart valve repair procedure may be required. However, you need to be extremely cautious about your lifestyle if you have faced heart failure once. Essential lifestyle measures include monitoring blood pressure and other symptoms strictly, maintaining an ideal body weight, limiting salt and alcohol intake and quitting smoking.

Published : January 9, 2020 5:52 pm

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