Nearly everyone knows something about heart disease. However, one lesser-known area of heart disease is congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure is a progressive condition that worsens over time, especially if it goes unchecked. With congestive heart failure, the heart is weakened due to a number of conditions — ranging from high blood pressure to coronary artery disease.
As a result, fluid builds in the lungs, kidneys, and other areas of the body. Download Congestive Heart Failure Guide. When it comes to congestive heart failure in older adults, there are four very important things you should know.
From life expectancy to managing the condition, here are four fast facts to keep in mind should the subject of congestive heart failure arise. Congestive heart failure is the silent killer when it comes to heart disease in the elderly. These traits tend to fuel many myths and misconceptions. Suffice it to say, cardiac problems are no joke.
But it is treatable and does not have to end your life. The short answer is, yes. You can die from heart failure, but those who take the necessary precautions and follow a self-care plan created by their doctor have a greater chance of living a healthier, happier, longer life.
If you have heart disease the sooner you talk to your doctor and create a treatment plan, the better your chances are of keeping it in check.
At Tri-City Cardiology, you come first. We value our patients and are committed to helping each one live their best life possible.
Call today and make an appointment to meet with one of our doctors so we can work together to create a treatment plan that is just right for your lifestyle. Coronary artery disease and heart attack. When arteries narrow due to cholesterol and a buildup of plaque and fatty deposits, they can restrict blood flow to the heart. If a total blockage occurs, the resulting trauma is known as a heart attack and can leave the heart muscle in a weakened state, unable to perform efficiently.
High blood pressure hypertension. In a patient with high blood pressure, the heart has to work harder to circulate blood throughout the body. Over time, the muscle may become too stiff or too weak to effectively pump blood. In simple terms, cardiomyopathy is damage to the heart muscle. It has many causes including disease, infection, alcohol and drug abuse. Genetics can also play a role. The end result is inefficient blood flow from a muscle in a weakened state.
Valve conditions. Heart valves keep blood flowing in the proper direction. A damaged valve - due to a heart defect, coronary artery disease, or heart infection - forces the heart to work harder to keep blood flowing as it should.
Over time, this extra work can weaken the heart, leading to CHF. Other conditions. Other conditions, either from birth such as congenital heart defects , contracted such as HIV or myocarditis resulting from a virus , or developed over time such as diabetes, hemochromatosis, or amyloidosis can also lead to CHF.
The treatment will be largely directed by the staging of the CHF and may involve lifestyle changes, medications, implanted devices, and heart surgery. One of the first steps in managing CHF is making changes in your life to improve your diet and physical fitness and to correct the bad habits that contribute to your illness.
Depending on the stage of the CHF, the interventions may be relatively easy to implement or may require a serious adjustment of your lifestyle. Reduce Sodium Intake: This not only includes the salt you add to food, but also the types of food that are high in sodium. The less salt in your diet, the less fluid retention there will be. Most healthcare providers recommend no more than 2, milligrams per day from all sources.
Limit Fluid Intake: This can vary depending on the severity of your condition, but generally speaking, you would limit your fluids to no more than 2 liters 8. Achieve and Maintain a Healthy Weight: If you are overweight, you may need to work with a nutritionist to first determine your ideal weight and daily calorie intake, and then to design a safe and sustainable low-sodium diet. Stop Smoking: There is no safe amount of smoking.
Smoking contributes to the development of atherosclerosis hardening of the arteries , making your heart work much harder than it normally would have to. Exercise Regularly: You need to find an exercise plan you can sustain and build upon to get stronger.
Try starting with no less than 30 minutes of exercise three times per week, incorporating cardio and strength training. Working with a personal trainer can help ensure the appropriate workout routine, which is one that neither overtaxes you nor leaves you unchallenged. Reduce Alcohol Intake: While an occasional drink may not do you any harm, moderate alcohol intake can sometimes complicate left-sided heart failure, particularly in people with alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy.
Speak to your healthcare provider about the appropriate limits based on the nature and severity of your CHF. There are a number of medications commonly prescribed to improve the function of your heart.
Drugs to Avoid: There a number of drugs that you may need to avoid if you have heart failure, which may either undermine therapy or contribute to cardiac congestion. These drugs include:. Since other drugs including ketamine, salbutamol, tamsulosin, and thiazolidinediones can affect heart function, it is important to advise your practitioner about any drugs you are taking, including supplements and herbal remedies.
Heart failure is described when the EF is 40 percent or less. This means that 40 percent or less of the blood in your left ventricle leaves the heart with each heartbeat. If your EF falls below 35 percent or you experience severe arrhythmia as a result of CHF, your healthcare provider may recommend an implantable device to reduce the risk of illness or death.
Different approaches are used for different conditions. The implants are typically inserted beneath the skin of the upper left chest. Before the surgery, medication will be given to make you sleepy and comfortable. The implantation of a device does not require open-heart surgery , and most people go can home within 24 hours. Surgery may be indicated to repair the underlying or contributing causes of heart failure. This may include repairing or replacing leaky heart valves or performing a coronary artery bypass graft CABG to redirect the blood flow around one or more blocked arteries.
If a heart attack has occurred, surgery is often needed to repair the bulging and thinning of the left ventricular, known as a ventricular aneurysm. Some surgeries are minimally invasive—accessing the heart through a blood vessel or through the chest without opening the ribcage—while others are open-heart.
If the risk of death is high and a donor's heart is not available, open surgery may be used to implant a ventricular assist device VAD into the chest. The VAD mechanically pumps blood from the left ventricle to the aorta and is powered by an external battery worn over the shoulder.
It is a short-term solution used by healthcare providers when waiting for a donor's heart. Around 3, heart transplants are performed around the world each year, more than half of which are performed in the United States. People who successfully undergo heart transplant surgery can expect to live an additional 15 years on average.
Being diagnosed with congestive heart failure doesn't mean that you're going to die or that your heart will suddenly stop. It simply means that your heart is failing to work as well as it is supposed to. While there is no cure for CHF, there are steps you can take to maintain or improve your heart function. Weigh Yourself Daily: Changes in your weight may be a sign that your condition is worsening.
Start by knowing your "dry weight" your weight when there no extra fluids in our body and keep a daily record. Call your healthcare provider if your weight is either 4 pounds more or 4 pounds less than your dry weight in the span of a week.
Take Your Medications Daily: You need to maintain a steady concentration of medications in your bloodstream to sustain the desired effect. Some drugs used to treat CHF have a short drug half-life including Entresto with a half-life of 10 hours and must be taken as prescribed without missing any doses.
To avoid missed doses, try programming alarm reminders on your cell phone. Keep Your Healthcare Provider Appointments: People who remain under consistent medical care invariably do better than those who don't. Making and keeping your appointments allows your practitioner to intervene before a medical problem become serious or irreversible. Check Food Labels: Sodium is hidden in many foods that we eat.
Learn how to read product labels and to choose foods low in salt, including lean meats, poultry, fish, fruit, vegetables, eggs, low-fat dairy, rice, pasta, and dry or fresh beans.
Avoid canned or packaged foods, and be aware that "reduced-sodium" products may still contain more than you need. Find Alternative Seasonings: Instead of salt or sodium-rich condiments, season your food with fresh herbs, dried spices, lemon juice, or flavored vinegar. Plan Ahead When Eating Out: Check the menu online in advance of your reservation, and call ahead to discuss your dietary requirements so that you make the right choices.
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