Description

Congestive Heart Failure is a syndrome consisting of the failure of the heart muscle to manage and efficiently pump blood out of the heart and lung system-- ultimately resulting in an accumulation of extra fluid in the extremities, abdominal cavity and in the lungs.

Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure include: shortness of breath at rest and with exertion, inability to lie flat in bed, awakening from a sound sleep due to an inability to breathe, swelling of extremities and abdomen, loss of energy, loss of appetitive, increasing weakness, and a progressive decline in ability to tolerate usual activities.

There are many underlying causes of Congestive Heart Failure. Common causes include: Coronary Artery Disease, Hypertensive Heart Disease, Valvular Heart Disease, various diseases resulting in the obstruction of blood outflow from the heart, Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, End Stage Renal Failure, and End Stage Liver Disease. The treatment plan developed by the medical provider will depend upon what the underlying cause is.

Questions

• When does shortness of breath occur? How long has it been present?
• Is there any fluid retention? Has there been a weight gain? Are clothes/shoes tighter?
• Is there any swelling?
• What makes the shortness of breath worse? What makes it better?
• Has there been a change in activity level due to shortness of breath?
• Has there been an increase in the number of pillows used at night to sleep?
• Has the sleep pattern changed? What is causing the change?
• Is there any new or worsening chest pain?
• Is there any loss of energy with increasing weakness? Can the usual daily activities be completed without increasing shortness of breath or stopping to rest?
• Has there been a change in appetite? What kind of diet is being followed? Is there a change in the usual amount of intake?
• What prescribed medications are being used at this time?
• Are there any specialists involved in the medical care?
• What is the amount of fluid and salt intake daily?
• Is there any difficulty with urination?
• Are there any other kinds of medical problems present/diagnosed?

Important Points to Consider

• Congestive Heart Failure can be sudden or gradual in onset. When shortness of breath becomes rapidly progressive, this may require immediate or emergent attention.
• Congestive Heart Failure can usually be well managed at home once the diagnosis is made, the underlying disease process causing the Congestive Heart Failure is identified and a treatment plan has been put into place.
• Symptom management is essential in providing quality of life. Understanding the treatment plan, learning how to monitor fluid status, how to utilize medications, adhering to scheduled routine follow-up medical visits, as well as knowing when to seek additional medical attention for worsening condition, will result in a better outcome. Any questions or concerns should be directed to your medical provider.
• Untreated Congestive Heart Failure can result in cardiac and or respiratory failure leading to death.

Proper diagnosis and treatment of Congestive Heart Failure is the goal.

Related topics
Managing Congestive Heart Failure
Discussing Chest Pain
Managing Chest Pain