Ask a doctor - What is it like to have congestive heart failure?

Having Congestive Heart Failure CHF can be a difficult experience and is often accompanied by a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms It is a condition in which there is inadequate blood flow through the arteries due to the heart not being able to pump effectively resulting in fluid building up in the lungs Some common symptoms of CHF include shortness of breath persistent coughing due to fluid buildup in the lungs fatigue and abdominal swelling due to excess fluid accumulation In advanced cases confusion or changes in mental status may occur as well as chest pain if there are other coronary artery disease problems present The cause of CHF varies but most commonly it results from preexisting conditions such as high blood pressure abnormal heart rhythms arrhythmias coronary artery disease or prior damage from an infection or heart attack that has caused scar tissue on the walls of the heart making it unable to contract properly It s important to take care of yourself if you have been diagnosed with CHF by following your doctor 39 s orders regarding eating healthy balanced meals and regular exercise when possible Additionally its advisable to quit smoking if you have this condition as it can help improve your overall health outlook significantly over time An effective course of treatment for those suffering from congestive heart failure typically involves lifestyle modifications such medication therapies designed specifically for each individual s needs ranging from diuretics used relieve cardiac strain associated with excessive fluids build up which eventually helps restore normal heartbeat rhythm digitalis medications used t increase strength provided by contraction action thus enabling pumping force more efficiently within then vessels apart from other drugs like ACE inhibitors meant for maintaining good circulatory functions etc Surgery may also be an option depending on severity level diagnosis given after scrutinizing factors contributing towards failure pattern seen among affected people so far

Q. What is it like to have congestive heart failure?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

Having Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) can be a difficult experience and is often accompanied by a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms. It is a condition in which there is inadequate blood flow through the arteries due to the heart not being able to pump effectively, resulting in fluid building up in the lungs. Some common symptoms of CHF include shortness of breath, persistent coughing due to fluid buildup in the lungs, fatigue and abdominal swelling due to excess fluid accumulation. In advanced cases, confusion or changes in mental status may occur as well as chest pain if there are other coronary artery disease problems present.

The cause of CHF varies but most commonly it results from preexisting conditions such as high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), coronary artery disease or prior damage from an infection or heart attack that has caused scar tissue on the walls of the heart making it unable to contract properly. It’s important to take care of yourself if you have been diagnosed with CHF by following your doctor's orders regarding eating healthy balanced meals and regular exercise when possible. Additionally its advisable to quit smoking if you have this condition as it can help improve your overall health outlook significantly over time.
An effective course of treatment for those suffering from congestive heart failure typically involves lifestyle modifications such medication therapies designed specifically for each individual’s needs; ranging from diuretics used relieve cardiac strain associated with excessive fluids build up which eventually helps restore normal heartbeat rhythm, digitalis medications used t increase strength provided by contraction action thus enabling pumping force more efficiently within then vessels apart from other drugs like ACE inhibitors meant for maintaining good circulatory functions etc.. Surgery may also be an option depending on severity level & diagnosis given after scrutinizing factors contributing towards failure pattern seen among affected people so far!

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