Congestive Heart Failure

What is congestive heart failure?

Congestive heart failure (CHF) means that your heart doesn’t pump blood efficiently or as well as it should. 

It’s possible that your heart muscle is too weak or that you have a defect that prevents proper blood circulation. CHF is broken down into four different stages, which are each described below.

Stage A

With Stage A congestive heart failure, you have a very high risk of developing full-blown CHF in the future. Having high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, or even diabetes are just some of the conditions that can lead to Stage A congestive heart failure. 

Stage B

Stage B congestive heart failure means that you have a structural defect in your heart. For instance, you may have an enlarged ventricle or lingering tissue damage after a heart attack. 

Stage C

Stage C congestive heart failure is a more advanced phase where you start experiencing symptoms, like chronic fatigue or difficulty breathing. These issues are linked to problems with your left ventricle not contracting properly. 

Stage D

With Stage D congestive heart failure, you have seriously advanced structural issues in your heart. Not only can this lead to difficulty breathing, even at rest, it means that you need regular treatment, such as mechanical circulation support. 

Am I at risk of congestive heart failure?

Because congestive heart failure develops gradually over time, it’s important to have annual checkups with your primary care physician to check for early indicators. 

For example, during each exam, your doctor checks your blood pressure. If they start noticing that your blood pressure is on the rise over the years, they can intervene early on and help get your blood pressure under control. 

In addition to high blood pressure (hypertension), the following issues can increase your risk of developing congestive heart failure:

• Coronary artery disease
• Severe allergic reactions
• Family history of CHF
• Thyroid disease
• Obesity 
• Diabetes 

Without proper treatment, congestive heart failure can lead to a chronic cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and swelling in your lower extremities. If any of these issues sound familiar, schedule an exam at Cardio Metabolic Institute as soon as possible. 

What is the treatment for congestive heart failure?

Your congestive heart failure plan from Cardio Metabolic Institute is entirely personalized to your specific diagnosis. After running some screenings, such as blood testing, stress test, or an electrocardiogram, your cardiologist may recommend:

• Prescription-strength diuretics to eliminate excess fluid and sodium
• Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to open up your vessels
• Beta blocker medications to slow your heart rhythm and reduce blood pressure

Cardio Metabolic Institute is also home to a team of registered dieticians who can help you learn about a heart-healthy diet as part of the practice’s revolutionary cardiac rehabilitation program. 

While medications and lifestyle changes can help improve your quality of life with congestive heart failure, sometimes, surgery is necessary. Your dedicated cardiologist can talk with you about modern CHF surgeries designed to open up blocked arteries or repair valves. 

You can learn to manage your congestive heart failure with the help of the cardiology team at Cardio Metabolic Institute. Book your exam online today or call any location to schedule.