Congestive heart failure is when your heart can’t pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs. This can be caused by things like coronary artery disease or having a heart attack.
In the U.S., about 6.2 million people are affected by this condition. Recognizing the symptoms, knowing when to talk to your doctor, and exploring treatment options are key. Doctors categorize heart failure based on a person’s ejection fraction, which measures how much blood the heart pumps with each beat.
There are three main stages of congestive heart failure. Your symptoms depend on the stage and how severe your condition is. Common signs include problems that range from mild issues during intense activities to severe symptoms even when you’re at rest.
Heart failure is often due to an underlying problem that affects the heart’s ability to pump well. This can make the heart work harder for blood and oxygen, which means the heart’s walls can get thicker and the arteries narrower, affecting blood flow.
Certain conditions can raise your risk of heart failure. These include some lesser-known disorders like Chagas disease and amyloidosis. Lifestyle factors can also play a role.
Though no single test can confirm heart failure, doctors may use various criteria and tests to diagnose it accurately. Treatment focuses on slowing the disease and easing symptoms and depends on the specific causes and symptoms of your condition. Your doctor might suggest a combination of treatments.
Specialists, like cardiologists, are crucial in managing heart failure. They can improve your chances of better survival and quality of life. You can also take steps to reduce your risk factors, which might prevent or slow the progression of heart failure.
It’s common to have other health issues alongside heart failure. For instance, many with heart failure also have high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. How heart failure progresses depends on the severity of your symptoms. Survival rates vary; those with mild forms fare better than those needing hospitalization.
The encouraging part is that new treatments and medical advances have improved life expectancy for heart failure patients. Staying connected with your healthcare provider and managing your condition can help you improve your quality of life and health.
