Congestive heart failure is not a heart failure but is not pumping as it should. This circumstance has many possible causes such as arterial hypertension, diabetes or arteriosclerosis.
Causes of congestive heart failure
Diseases that damage or other causes
In congestive heart failure, the main pumping cavities of the heart (the ventricles) can become rigid, which prevents, among beats, to be adequately filled to eject the blood to the whole body properly. In a healthy heart, the ejection fraction is 50 percent or even greater. This means that more than half of the blood that fills the ventricle is pumped out with each beat.
In general, heart failure begins on the left side, especially in the left ventricle that is the main pumping cavity of the heart.
Heart failure usually appears by:
– Chronic arterial hypertension.
– Problems in heart valves.
– Arrhythmias.
– Coronary artery disease.
– Damage to the heart muscle.
– Viral infection to heart muscle.
– Serious infections.-
– Allergic reactions.
– Blood clots in the lungs.
– Pharmacological treatments such as some medications to treat diabetes.
– A disease that affects the entire organism.
– Smoking.
– Obesity
The types, or classification, congestive heart failure are:
– Class I heart I insufficiency. Asymptomatic.
– Class II heart failure. Daily activities are carried out normally but there is fatigue and/or tiredness when making efforts.
– Class III heart failure. There are problems to complete everyday activities.
– Class IV heart failure. There is difficulty breathing even when bedtime. It is the most serious.
Symptoms of congestive heart failure
Edema, fatigue, weakness and other signs
The signs that can suspect a case of congestive heart failure can be:
– Edema that also favors a rapid weight gain due to fluid retention.
– Difficulty breathing (dyspnea) when making efforts or when bedtime.
– Fatigue and/or weakness.
– Cough.
– White or pink phlegm with blood.
– Irregular heartbeat.
– Greater night urination.
– Swelling in the abdomen (ascites).
– Very fast weight gain caused by fluid retention.
– Lack of appetite and nausea.
– Difficulty concentrating.
The doctor should be used urgent if there are signs such as:
– Chest pain.
– Fainting.
– Lack of sudden air.
Diagnosis of congestive heart failure
Physical exam, medical history and various tests
The diagnosis of congestive heart failure will be based on the description of symptoms; the medical history; The physical examination that includes auscultation with stethoscope, review of the neck veins and fluid retention check in abdomen and legs. Tests such as:
– Blood analysis to verify the presence of Type B natriuretic peptide, a 32 amino acid polypeptide that is secreted by cardiac ventricles in the face of excessive elongation of heart muscle cells.
– Thorax radiography to see the state of the lungs and heart.
– Electrocardiogram to detect heart rate problems and heart damage.
– Echocardiogram to measure the ejection fraction.
– Effort test to study how the heart responds to effort.
– Cardiac computerized tomography to obtain images of the heart and the pectoral area.
– Magnetic resonance (RM) also to obtain images of the heart.
– Coronary angiography to detect obstructions.
– Myocardial biopsy to detect heart muscle diseases that can cause heart failure.
Treatment and medication of congestive heart failure
Drugs, control and even surgery
Most cases of congestive heart failure, which means to follow chronic treatment with controls and revisions for life, are based on balancing disorder by drugs such as the inhibitors of the angiotensin converter enzyme, angiotensin converter, antagonists of the angiotensin receiver II , beta blockers, diuretics, antagonists of the aldosterone and inotropos,
If the disease is serious and surgery is necessary, the options are:
– Baipás of the coronary artery.
– Repair or replacement of the heart valve.
– Implementation of cardioversor defibrillators.
– Biventricular electrostimulation.
– The most critical cases may require a transplant.
Prevention of congestive heart failure
Healthy habits
The prevention pattern against congestive heart failure is to have good life habits:
– Do not smoke.
– Avoid stress and apply relaxation techniques.
– Follow a healthy and balanced diet.
– Perform moderate and regular physical exercise.
– Avoid overweight and obesity.
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