What are the complications of congestive heart failure?

Possible complications can include:
  • Kidney damage or failure. Heart failure can reduce the blood flow to your kidneys, which can eventually cause kidney failure if left untreated. ...
  • Heart valve problems. ...
  • Heart rhythm problems. ...
  • Liver damage.
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What organs are affected by congestive heart failure?

CHF develops when your ventricles can't sufficiently pump blood to the body. Over time, blood and other fluids can back up inside other organs, including your lungs, liver, lower body or abdomen. This faulty pumping also means your body isn't receiving enough of the oxygen it requires.
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What happens when a patient goes into congestive heart failure?

Congestive heart failure doesn't mean your heart has stopped. It means it's not pumping blood the way it should. When that happens, blood and fluid can back up in your body and make it harder for your kidneys to flush out sodium and water. That can make you hold on to too much fluid, which causes swelling.
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What are the complications of heart disease?

Complications of heart disease include:
  • Heart failure. This is one of the most common complications of heart disease. ...
  • Heart attack. A heart attack may occur if a blood clot is stuck in a blood vessel that goes to the heart.
  • Stroke. ...
  • Aneurysm. ...
  • Peripheral artery disease. ...
  • Sudden cardiac arrest.
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What are the signs that heart failure is getting worse?

Signs of Worsening Heart Failure
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
  • Weight gain of three or more pounds in one day.
  • Weight gain of five pounds in one week.
  • Unusual swelling in the legs, feet, hands, or abdomen.
  • A persistent cough or chest congestion (the cough may be dry or hacking)
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Effects of Congestive Heart Failure



What is the main cause of congestive heart failure?

What causes congestive heart failure? The most common cause of congestive heart failure is coronary artery disease. Risk factors for coronary artery disease include: high levels of cholesterol and/or triglyceride in the blood.
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What is the difference between congestive heart failure and heart failure?

Actually, heart failure means that the heart isn't pumping as well as it should be. Congestive heart failure is a type of heart failure that requires seeking timely medical attention, although sometimes the two terms are used interchangeably.
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What are the final stages of congestive heart failure?

Patients in the end stages of heart failure want to know what to expect. The symptoms of end-stage congestive heart failure include dyspnea, chronic cough or wheezing, edema, nausea or lack of appetite, a high heart rate, and confusion or impaired thinking.
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What are the four signs of congestive heart failure?

Symptoms of heart failure include:
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Feeling tired (fatigue) and having leg weakness when you're active.
  • Swelling in your ankles, legs and abdomen.
  • Weight gain.
  • Need to urinate while resting at night.
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeats (palpitations).
  • A dry, hacking cough.
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What is the best thing to do if you have congestive heart failure?

Lifestyle Changes
  • Modify daily activities and get enough rest to avoid stressing the heart.
  • Eat a heart-healthy diet that is low in sodium and fat.
  • Don't smoke and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke.
  • Don't drink alcohol or limit intake to no more than one drink two or three times a week.
  • Lose weight.
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How do you treat a patient with congestive heart failure?

Doctors usually treat heart failure with a combination of medications. Depending on your symptoms, you might take one or more medications, including: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. These drugs relax blood vessels to lower blood pressure, improve blood flow and decrease the strain on the heart.
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What is the most common treatment for congestive heart failure?

Surgery. Medicines are the main treatment for heart failure, but for some people surgery may help. Operations that can help with heart failure include: heart valve surgery.
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Who is most affected by congestive heart failure?

People 65 years or older have a higher risk of heart failure. Older adults are also more likely to have other health conditions that cause heart failure. Family history of heart failure makes your risk of heart failure higher. Genetics may also play a role.
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What are the 2 types of congestive heart failure?

Types of heart failure
  • Left-sided heart failure: The left ventricle of the heart no longer pumps enough blood around the body. ...
  • Right-sided heart failure: Here the right ventricle of the heart is too weak to pump enough blood to the lungs.
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Can congestive heart failure be cured?

There's no cure for heart failure. Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and slow further damage. TheI exact plan depends on the stage and type of heart failure, underlying conditions and the individual patient.
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Is congestive heart failure sudden death?

Patients with congestive heart failure have a high incidence of sudden cardiac death that is attributed to ventricular arrhythmias. The mortality rate in a group of patients with class III and IV heart failure is about 40% per year, and half of the deaths are sudden.
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How long does a person with congestive heart failure?

In general, more than half of all people diagnosed with congestive heart failure will survive for 5 years. About 35% will survive for 10 years. Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic, progressive condition that affects the heart's ability to pump blood around the body.
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Is congestive heart failure considered a heart disease?

While heart disease is a wide category, several elements of it impact heart failure. In a nutshell, heart disease refers to several types of heart conditions while heart failure is a form of heard disease.
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What is the best drink for your heart?

Water is the drink of choice for heart health. If you're thirsty, drink water.
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Can a person live with congestive heart failure?

Although it can be difficult living with a chronic condition like heart failure, many people learn to manage the symptoms – and enjoy full lives.
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Can you live a normal life with congestive heart failure?

It is possible to lead a normal life, even if you have Heart Failure. Understanding and taking control of Heart Failure is the key to success. Your doctor and healthcare providers will provide guidelines and a treatment plan. It is your responsibility to follow the treatment plan and manage your Heart Failure.
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What are 3 things that can worsen heart failure and why?

All of the lifestyle factors that increase your risk of heart attack and stroke – smoking, being overweight, eating foods high in fat and cholesterol and physical inactivity – can also contribute to heart failure.
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What should you avoid if you have congestive heart failure?

Avoid These Foods if You Have Heart Failure
  • Alcohol. Heart failure prevents the heart from pumping as well as it used to. ...
  • Salt. Consuming too much salt (sodium) can result in fluid retention in the healthiest of people. ...
  • Highly Processed Grains. ...
  • Processed Meats.
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