subject: What Is Congestive Heart Failure? [print this page] Congestive heart failure is a illness in which the hearts role as a pump to transport oxygen filled blood to the body is inadequate to meet the bodys needs. Congestive heart failure can be caused by:1.Sickness that deteriorate the muscles of the heart.2.Diseases that expand oxygen need by the body tissue beyond the amount the heart can carry.3.Sickness that cause tightening of the heart muscles.The heart has two atria (right atrium and left atrium) that make up 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 muscular chambers that release blood when the muscles contract; this contraction of the ventricle muscles is referred to as systole.Many diseases 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 slowed pumping ability of the ventricles due to muscle weakening is called systolic dysfunction. Following each systole the ventricle muscles need to rest to allow blood from the atria to fill the ventricles. This resting state is referred to as diastole.In some patients, one or more of these factors may be present to lead to congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure can disturb many organs in the body. For example, the weakened heart muscles may not be able to give enough blood to the kidneys, which will then begin to lose their normal ability excrete salt (sodium) and water. This slowed kidney function can cause the body to store more fluid. This may cause the lungs to become crowded with fluid (pulmonary edema) and the persons ability to exercise is slowed. Fluid may likewise lodge in the liver, thereby impairing its ability to rid the body of toxins and produce essential proteins. The intestines may also become less efficient in absorbing nutrients and medicines. Over time, untreated, worsening congestive heart failure will affect every organ in the body.What are the symptoms of congestive heart failure?The sign of congestive heart failure vary among individuals according to the specific organ systems involved and depending on the extent to which the rest of the body has compensated for the heart muscle weakness.Tiredness is an early symptom 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 accumulate in the lungs, thereby causing shortness of breath, particularly during exercise and when lying flat. There are even situation 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 frequent urination, especially at night.Collection of fluid in the liver and intestines may cause nausea, abdominal pain and lessened appetite.by: sadie.backhurst
