Detailed Overview - Congestive heart failure

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Also known as CHF, Congestive Heart Failure is mainly a chronic progressive condition that tends to affect the pumping power of your heart functioning. Commonly known as heart failure, CHF convinces to be on that stage where the fluid builds up around the heart and the pumping of the heart becomes abnormal. There are 4 chambers in the heart where the upper half has 2 atria and the lower has 2 ventricles. It is the ventricles that pump blood to your body's organs and tissues while the atria acquire the blood from the body to circulate it back to the other parts of the body.

CHF occurs when your ventricles are unable to pump the right amount of blood to the body. Thus, the blood and the fluid will be stored in your lungs, abdomen, liver and lower body. CHF could be a risk to life. If you are suffering from CHF, it is important to seek medical attention ASAP.

Causes of Congestive Heart Failure

CHF might occur from other health problems that directly affect your cardiovascular system. You need to go for regular checkups every month to reduce the risk of heart problems and any other major health problems.

Hypertension

When your blood pressure is way higher than the normal rate, it leads to CHF. Hypertension could be the cause of many serious problems which further narrows your arteries making it harder for your blood to flow through them

Coronary artery disease

Different types of fatty substances like cholesterol might get stored and block the coronary arteries. These are mainly the small arteries that supply blood to the heart. The blocking of the arteria tends to become narrow, restricting the blood flow which might even lead to damage in your arteries.

Valve conditions

Your heart pumps regular blood flow. This occurs through your heart by opening and closing to let blood in and out of the chambers. When valves don't open and close directly, it forces the ventricles to work harder to pump blood. This could result in a heart infection or defect.

Other conditions

While different heart diseases could lead to CHF, other unrelated conditions might even risk your heart as well. These include diabetes, thyroid disease, and obesity. Severe infections and allergic reactions may also contribute to CHF.

How is it diagnosed?

Electrocardiogram

Known as ECG, Electrocardiogram tends to record your heart's rhythm. When your heartbeat is abnormal, it showcases that the walls of your heart's chamber and are thicker than normal. This could seem to be a warning signal for a heart attack.

Echocardiogram

It makes use of the sound waves for recording the heart's structure and motion. The test helps in determining if you have poor blood flow, muscle damage or a heart muscle that does not contract normally.

MRI

An MRI clicks pictures of your heart. With both still and moving pictures, your doctor will be able to see and diagnose if there is any damage to your heart or not.

Stress test

Stress tests show how well your heart functions under different levels of stress. This is done by making your heart work harder, making it easier for the doctor to diagnose the issue.

Blood tests

It is done to check for abnormal blood cells and infections. They can also check the level of the BNP. It is a hormone that tends to rise with heart failure.

If you are suffering from any of the causes or symptoms related to your heart, you need to visit your doctor. While regular checkups are mandatory, it is also important that you follow a proper diet and routine which will keep you fit and healthy.