Congestive Heart Failure - Symptoms

Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure (CHF), is a condition in which your heart is not pumping as well as it should to meet your body's needs. CHF can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, generalized weakness, and swelling in the ankles, feet, and abdomen. Numerous heart conditions can lead to heart failure. Over time, conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, high blood pressure or heart valve disease gradually sap your heart of its strength, leaving it too weak or too stiff to fill and pump efficiently.

Medications can improve the symptoms of chronic heart failure and lead to improved survival. Lifestyle changes, such as exercising, reducing salt intake, managing stress, treating depression and especially losing excess weight, also can help prevent fluid buildup and improve your quality of life.

Congestive Heart Failure - Causes

There are many possible underlying factors that cause congestive heart failure, among them are the following. In all cases, your best treatment option is to consult with an expert heart or cardiovascular physician.

• Coronary Artery Disease
• Heart Attack
• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
• Faulty Heart Valves
• Cardiomyopathy
• Other Related Health Problems

Congestive Heart Failure - Treatment Options

The treatment for congestive heart failure will vary depending on your individual situation, as evaluated by a top physician specializing in heart or cardiovascular care. Possible treatments include medications such as the following:

• ACE Inhibitors
• Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
• Beta-Blockers
• Digitalis - Lanoxin (Digoxin)
• Diuretics (also called 'water pills')
• Diuretic (Potassium Sparing) Aldactone (Spironolactone)
• Potassium

California Pacific's Heart and Vascular Center

California Pacific's Heart and Vascular Center is supported by one of the best heart hospital/center networks in the USA, offering quality, comprehensive patient-centered cardiovascular care by a team of top heart surgeons and physicians with leading-edge technology. Serving the entire San Francisco Bay Area, including San Francisco and Marin County, as well as the entire Northern California region, our team has many of the best cardiovascular surgeons and physicians in California and the United States.