Congestive heart failure is a illness in which the heart’s duty as a pump to carry oxygen rich blood to the body is inadequate to meet the body’s needs. Congestive heart failure can be initiated by: 1.Diseases that deteriorate the muscles of the heart. 2. Sickness that build up oxygen need by the body tissue beyond the capability the heart can deliver . 3. Sickness that cause stiffening 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 thick chambers that release blood when the muscles contract; this contraction of the ventricle muscles is referred to as 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 diminished . The weakened pumping ability of the ventricles due to muscle weakening is called systolic dysfunction. After each systole 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 people, one or more of these factors may be present to lead to congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure can affect many organs in the body. For example, the slowed 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 retain more fluid. This can cause the lungs to become filled with fluid (pulmonary edema) and the person’s ability to exercise is slowed . Fluid may also rest in the liver, thereby disturbing its ability to rid the body of toxins and produce 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 change among individuals according to the specific organ systems involved and depending on the degree 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 triggered by many other conditions. The persons exercising ability may also weaken . 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 collect 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 increased urination, especially at night. Storage of fluid in the liver and intestines may cause nausea, abdominal pain and lessened appetite.
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Congestive heart failure is a disease in which the heart fails to pump blood through the body, due to weakness of the heart muscles.
Rob Thomas writes about Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms and recommends the Cardiac Diet.
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