Congestive Heart Failure

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Congestive Heart Failure (Heart Failure; Chronic Heart Failure; Left Ventricular Dysfunction; Left Ventricular Failure) by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD En Español (Spanish Version) More InDepth

1 Congestive Heart Failure (Heart Failure; Chronic Heart Failure; Left Ventricular Dysfunction; Left Ventricular Failure) by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD En Español (Spanish Version) More InDepth Information on This Condition Understanding Heart Failure Definition In congestive heart failure (CHF), the heart is unable to pump the necessary amount of blood throughout the body. This causes blood to back up in the veins. Fluid pools in the liver and lungs. Swelling occurs first in the feet, ankles, and legs. Then the swelling occurs throughout the body as the kidneys begin to retain fluid. Pulmonary Edema Fluid pooling in the lungs Nucleus Medical Art, Inc. Causes Causes include: Problems with the heart's valves due to: Rheumatic heart disease Bacterial endocarditis Congenital defects Calcium deposits High blood pressure Heart muscle damage after a heart attack Coronary artery disease Cardiomyopathy (weakened, damaged heart muscle) due to: Page 1 of 5

2 Infection Excess alcohol ingestion Genetic defect Certain medications Arrhythmias Complications from the use of beta-blocking or digitalis-containing medications Diabetes Emphysema Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) Excess salt intake Amyloidosis Pneumonia Kidney and/or liver failure Anabolic steroid use Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency Risk Factors Risk factors include: Sex: male Race: Black Advancing age Pregnancy Excess alcohol intake Excess intake of salt and fat High fever Infection Obesity Chronic lung disease Use of beta-blocking or digitalis-containing medications in certain settings Chemotherapy Arrhythmia Heart valve disease Heart muscle damage from heart attack, infection, or medications Overactive thyroid Symptoms Symptoms include: Fatigue, weakness Shortness of breath at first only with activity, progressing to shortness of breath at rest Wheezing Cough may be dry and hacking or wet sounding with a pink, frothy sputum Need to sleep propped up Swelling of feet, ankles, or legs Frequent urination, especially at night Unexplained weight gain Abdominal pain and tenderness Page 2 of 5

3 Diagnosis The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. In particular, the physical exam will include: Listening to the lungs and heart with a stethoscope Feeling the abdomen for tenderness and liver swelling Checking the legs for swelling Tests may include: Blood tests to look for certain markers in the blood that help the doctor determine what is happening with your heart Urine tests to look for certain markers in the urine that help the doctor determine what is happening with your heart Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) records the heart's activity by measuring electrical currents through the heart muscle Echocardiogram uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to examine the size, shape, function, and motion of the heart Exercise stress test records the heart's electrical activity during increased physical activity, may be coupled with echocardiogram Patients who cannot exercise may be given a medication to simulates physical exertion Nuclear scanning radioactive material (such as thallium) is injected into a vein and highlights areas with diminished flow Electron-beam CT scan (coronary calcium scan, heart scan, CT angiography) measures the amount of calcium deposits in the coronary arteries to help to determine the risk of heart disease, including heart attacks The American Heart Association (AHA) published guidelines in 2006 that heart scans are not for everyone and those most likely to benefit from the procedure are patients at intermediate risk of coronary artery disease Coronary angiography x-rays with a special dye that allows the doctor to look for abnormalities (narrowing, blockage) in the arteries and evaluate the function of the heart Treatment Treatments include: Treatment of Underlying Conditions CHF may be caused by another condition. Treating the other condition should improve or cure your CHF. Lifestyle Changes Avoid alcohol. If you smoke, quit. Lose weight if necessary. Eat a healthy diet. This may include a diet that is low in fat and salt, and high in fiber. Ask your doctor if you need to restrict fluids. Find out how much salt and fluid is right for you. Begin an exercise program with guidance from your doctor aerobic training may help improve your level of physical activity and your quality of life. *¹ Weigh yourself every morning so you can detect fluid retention early. Medications Page 3 of 5

4 Medications include: Diuretics Digitalis ACE-inhibiting medications Beta-blockers Nitrates Hydralazine Left-Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) This is a mechanical pump that can be implanted in your chest. It temporarily assists the heart's pumping. The pump may take over the function of either or both ventricles. Initially it has been used only for patients awaiting heart transplant. In recent years it has emerged as possible long-term treatment for some patients. Cardiomyoplasty This is a surgical procedure in which a muscle from the back is removed and wrapped around the heart. A mechanical device stimulates the transplanted muscle to squeeze the heart, thus assisting the heart's pumping action. Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Placement Patients with heart failure are more prone to certain heart arrhythmias that put them at risk for sudden cardiac death. ICDs are implanted in those patients to prevent such arrhythmias from occurring. Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Some patients with heart failure benefit from a specific type of electrical stimulation to the ventricles. This allows the ventricles to contract in a synchronized matter. It can improve CHF symptoms. Heart Transplant This is reserved for the most severe cases of CHF. Prevention To prevent CHF or to prevent the condition from worsening: If you smoke, quit. Avoid alcohol. Maintain a healthy weight. Lose weight, if necessary. Eat a healthy diet. It should be low in saturated fat and salt. It should also be rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Begin a safe exercise program with the advice of your doctor. RESOURCES: American Academy of Family Physicians American College of Cardiology Page 4 of 5

5 American Heart Association CANADIAN RESOURCES: About Kids Health Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada REFERENCES: ACC/AHA Practice Guidelines. American College of Cardiology website. Available at: Accessed July 16, Congestive heart failure. American Heart Association website. Available at: Accessed July 16, Dambro MR. Griffith's 5-Minute Clinical Consult ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins;2001. Heart pumps. Mayo Clinic website. Available at: Accessed on Accessed July 16, Hunt, SA, Abraham, WT, Chin, MH, et al. ACC/AHA 2005 Guideline Update for the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Heart Failure in the Adult: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2005; 112:e154. Hunt SA, Baker DW, Chin MH, et al. ACC/AHA guidelines for the evaluation and management of chronic heart failure in the adult. American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) Sep;56. Paterna S, Parrinello G, Cannizzaro S, et al. Medium term effects of different dosage of diuretic, sodium, and fluid administration on neurohormonal and clinical outcome in patients with recently compensated heart failure. Am J Cardiol. 2009;103: Epub 2008 Oct 17. What is heart failure? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: Accessed July 16, *¹4/16/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Nilsson BB, Westheim A, Risberg MA. Effects of group-based high-intensity aerobic interval training in patients with chronic heart failure. Am J Cardiol Nov 15;102: Epub 2008 Sep 11. Last reviewed February 2009 by Igor Puzanov, MD Last Updated: 4/16/2009 All EBSCO Publishing proprietary, consumer health and medical information found on this site is accredited by URAC. URAC's Health Web Site Accreditation Program requires compliance with 53 rigorous standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audits. To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please us at healthlibrarysupport@ebscohost.com. Page 5 of 5

Heart Failure Overview

Heart Failure Overview Help us make this guide better! Please fill out the brief survey at the back of the book or complete it online at heartandstroke.ca/feedback I Understanding Heart Failure The Basics