Congestive Heart Failure refers to a condition that renders the heart unable to efficiently pump blood to the body’s organs. The condition itself can be caused by a number of pre-existing issues. These include:
• High blood pressure
• Previous heart attack
• Coronary disease of the arteries
• Congenital heart defects
• Diseased or damaged heart valves
Congestive heart failure can typically be identified by swollen legs or ankles, swelling of the abdomen or shortness of breath. Due to the heart’s inability to pump blood properly the blood tends to pool in certain areas of the body which leads to swelling. While it generally occurs in the legs, other parts of the body can be affected. The shortness of breath comes about when fluid collects in the lungs, which tends to worsen when the person is lying down.
Methods for the treatment of congestive failure have improved over the years, but in many cases, without a heart transplant the patient eventually dies. Depending on the severity of the condition some patients respond to drugs or operations such as valve replacement. With proper medical supervision some people can live with congestive heart failure for years. For some people however, the disease becomes progressively worse which leads to changes in the course of treatment and more intense medical supervision. However, death results rather quickly.
Stages of Congestive Heart Failure
Typically, the stages of congestive heart failure are as follows:
1. Initially, patients may display no symptoms of the disease. While they may feel a bit more tired than usual during physical activity, it is not usually enough to cause alarm.
2. Over time there is pronounced fatigue during physical activity. Heart palpitations may be experenced even during limited exercise. On the other hand, resting may cause the symptoms to lessen or to go away.
3. At this stage the person may be fine while rest, but some everyday tasks may lead to tiredness and shortness of breath. Clearly, at this point physical activity and exercise become severely limited.
4. During the final stages of the illness the person’s day to day life becomes severely affected. Any form of physical activity will lead to tiredness and put additional strain on the heart. Even when at rest there may be symptoms which signal the heart’s inability to function properly, in addition to difficulty breathing.
According to website wrongdiagnosis.com roughly 1.76% of Americans are suffering from congestive heart failure. Naturally the figures are higher for people over 65. While some people may be more prone to heart failure due to circumstances like defects at birth, lifestyle changes can make a big difference in preventing the disease. However, end stage congestive heart failure ultimately leads t death as the body shuts down.
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August 17th, 2011 at 2:49 am
My dad passed April 14 from CHF and it has been the most painful thing that our family has ever had to deal with. He was 75yrs old. He was diagnosed about 15yrs ago. The last year of his life he complained alot about nausea and feeling full. His appetite was not good at all. My mom had to make him eat. My dad was such a strong man and seeing his health decline was painful and heart breaking. My sister and brothers are trying to be strong and help each other cope with our lost. But our main concern is our mother. Since dad passed she has not been the same. Her best friend, her husband of 50yrs is gone!! Its breaks our heart to see so sad. We have been told by others that time heals all wounds, and we know that but the pain is still so fresh so new like an open wound. We now truly know what a broken heart really feels like. To those of you who still have your love ones treasure every moment and tell them you love them every chance you get. If I could just talk to him again or just see his handsome smile….Treasure every moment. You all are in my prayers.
July 8th, 2011 at 11:51 am
My mother has had heart related issues for over 10 years now. She has had high blood pressure for as long as I can remember, 210/110. She goes to the Dr. every month for blood work and they say it is good and her blood pressure has come down. She is on coreg, diovan, coumadin and torsemide. She has CHF and recently the company she got her torsemide from discontinued the one she was taking (she is also very sensitive to drugs) and the drug store gave her another one suppose to be the same thing and she took it for a week and started feeling awful. She gained weight of 3-4 lbs. and had shortness of breath and lost her appetite. She stopped taking the new torsemide about two weeks ago and feels some better but as of this morning she was in the bed when I called and still has no appetite but forcing a little bit down. She is having trouble having a bowel movement and got some prune juice today. My question is she has no swelling in her feet and hands. She has always had a big stomach. If she is not taking her diuretic for two weeks why is she not swelling but feels the way she does. As with so many others I live six hours away and this is so hard. I have ordered her some CoQ10 and having it shipped to her and told her to drink a little apple ciday vinegar as it is a natural diuretic. She is really done in with meds and hospitals!
July 7th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
My brother is 53 years old…He had a MAJOR heart attack 3 years ago…one of his major arteries is 100% dead, another major atery is only functioning at 30% capacity…we are told his oxygen intake is approx 27%. If he showers he must nap for 2-3 hours…he sleeps approximately 19 hours a day….and not very well. His ankles began to swell about 8 months ago…he took low dose water pills…2 weeks ago we took him to hospital…we estimate he is holding close to 80 lbs of fluid…his scrotum is so swollen it looks like a small cantalope. He was sent home from hospital after 3 days with orders to take 60 mgs of lasix a day…swelling still severe…he also has an arotic anyeurism (3.9) needs to be checked…and has 2 stints in his low performing artery…how long can he survive like this? My mom is 75 years old, we lost my dad 7 months ago, and she just can not care for him like he needs…doctors act like this is not as serious as it is to me? Can you offer me some advice?
June 18th, 2011 at 11:38 pm
My MOM has CHF the Hsopice nurse told her that she has about 3 months to life. I see my mom I know she has longer I was told that I can not accept the dease…. I see my mom has lost 50pounds since she moved in with my family and I becasue she is not constantly eating junk food or eating out and taking in too much salt. I think that there scaring her and that bothers me. what to do?
what exactly is end stage I was told that it can go on for 20+ years she has only been 8 months with the diagnossis I think that she likes the attention that Hospice gives her but I also think that she has longer stamina then she did 5 month ago. I think that she is just going to give in becasue she was told that she is near the end. My mom is 68 yrs and what bothers me even more is that I have the same symptoms as she does and I think that she kinda well says more then what is really wrong with her. My mom has always been a attention getter and I think that this fits the bill for her. she gets special attention (I am ok with that) and I think that she like the schock value that it brings to her when she tells people that she is dying.
I really do not like attention and I hate being the center of it as she likes the lime light. I know that were two diffrent people but is it possible that she read the manule and is well kinda living the manuel. NO I am not saying she does not have CHF I am saying I think she is well kinda faking it abit. I caught her jumping up and down and dancing around when she thought no one was home. so I have to ask myself is this for reals? is she really a sick as she says she is?
do the Doctors really feel she is dying?
or am I just in deniel?
what are the symptoms of end stage I feel there kinda vauge and not really listing the real issues here….
PLEASE give me some insight.
Sincerely
Jane
March 27th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
my daughters in the hospital now with chf and kidney failuer i dont want to lose my child
February 20th, 2011 at 9:18 pm
was working…was diagnosed with CHF…the next week, was laid off…insurance ended one week later…im now in stage 3…i WISH the cardiologist had sat down and told me more…i called to get questions answered…no insurance…no answers.
February 8th, 2011 at 6:45 pm
Seeing a person struggle with this illness is tough. Especially, when you notice a person struggling for air. Today, a lady who was like a mother died from this disease!:(
January 21st, 2011 at 3:57 am
hi guys i on december 22nd 2010 i lost my mom to CHF (conjestion heart failure) an i didn’t’ even know the sympothoms she never even went to the hospital it got her by surprise me an my brother never even heard of this disease until now an even now were still hurting
December 23rd, 2010 at 8:22 pm
I will keep you in my prayers….My grandpa who is 93 is almost in the same situation. He was in the hospital last week with really high levels of potassium and BNP levels from end stages of CHF. His breathing is becoming more and more shallow and normal tasks like walking across the room are becoming more difficult. They had a their pastor come to the house today! He is my best friend and I can’t even imagine life without him. Not fun! I will keep you and your family in my prayers!
December 22nd, 2010 at 10:48 pm
Yesterday mom went to ER again. They admitted her but today they released her stating that there is nothing that they could do. They daid she now has Kidney failure on top of severe CHF, COPD, previous blood clot in lungs , chirrosis of the liver, and thyroid problems. They told me to make sure she is comfortable and to consider Hospice. Keep us in your prayers.