|
| |
|
| |
Palatine Heart Center
523 Old Northwest Highway,
Barrington, IL 60010
Phone (847) 381-1200
Fax (847) 381-1904 |
| |
Heart Lung Center
360 Station Drive
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone (815) 477-8900
Fax (815) 477-7160 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Congestive Heart Failure |
 |
|
|
| Congestive Heart Failure |
Heart failure can happen in one of two ways. In the first type, the heart muscle may become weak and enlarged (systolic dysfunction). If the heart muscle weakens, it does not pump enough blood forward when the bottom heart chambers contract. With diastolic dysfunction (the second type of heart failure), the heart muscle may become stiff. The stiff muscle can’t relax properly between contractions, which prevents the ventricles (bottom heart chambers) from filling with enough blood. In either case, less blood travels to the lungs and the rest of the body with each heartbeat. You may have one or both types of heart failure.
|
| |
| When the heart can’t pump enough blood, certain body chemicals are sent out to make the heart work harder. Some of those chemicals cause the heart muscle to grow larger. Others tell the heart to pump faster. This can help move blood at first, but the heart muscle can’t keep up with these demands and over time the extra work further damages the heart. |
| |
| In most cases, heart failure is caused by another health problem. These problems include coronary artery disease (blockages in the heart arteries), high blood pressure, sleep apnea, abnormalities of the heart valves or abnormal heart rhythms. Heart failure can also be caused by drug or alcohol abuse, infections of the heart muscle or certain medications/chemotherapies. |
| |
| The most common symptoms of congestive heart failure include shortness of breath, trouble breathing while laying flat, edema (swelling of the ankles, legs, abdomen), weight gain, decreased appetite and fatigue. |
| |
| To evaluate your heart, your doctor will examine you, ask questions and run tests. These tests may include blood work, x-rays, EKG's, stress tests or ultrasounds of your heart. In some cases, the doctor may also recommend a cardiac catherization. |
| |
| When a specific cause of congestive heart failure is found, it should be treated or if possible, corrected. For example some cases of congestive heart failure can be improved by treating high blood pressure, sleep apnea or coronary artery disease (blockages in the heart arteries). If congestive heart failure occurs as a result of an abnormal heart valve, that valve may need to be repaired or replaced surgically. In almost all cases of congestive heart failure, your doctor will prescribe medications to help your heart work more efficiently. These medications may include ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics, nitroglycerin or digoxin. Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes such as eating less salt, drinking less fluid, losing weight or getting more exercise. |
| |
|
|
|
