Causes, prevention, and treatment options for congestive heart failure

Most of us think that heart failure means if the heart has stopped working. However, it is not like that. Heart failure indicates that heart’s pumping power is weaker and not able to work as it should be. With heart failure, blood does not smoothly, and it leads to pressure on your heart.

Moreover, blood moves at a slower rate because of this pressure on heart gets increased. Heart failure has emerged as the leading cause of hospitalization. According to the study, approximately 670,000 are diagnosed with heart failure each year. Heart failure is the medical term used to explain the condition.

Causes of congestive heart failure
It is important to go for annual checkups to mitigate the risk for heart health problems.

Patients having hypertension are at risk as blood pressure remains higher as well as fat/cholesterol restrict the blood vessels.

Coronary artery disease is also responsible for leading to CHF. Coronary arteries are the small arteries which supply blood to the heart. Cholesterol and other types of fatty substances can make this artery blocked. Once they become narrow, blood flow does not remain smooth. It can even lead to artery damage.

Ventricles have to work harder to pump blood, if the valves are not working properly.

Some other conditions can also because CHF including heart-related diseases, Severe infections and allergic reactions, diabetes, thyroid disease, and obesity. 

How to prevent congestive heart failure?
You can mitigate the risk of heart failure by following these things. Apart from it, following these tips can also speed up the recovery.

• Quit smoking and consult your doctor in case you are not able to quit. Smoking can lead to various health issues. If anyone does smoke around you, ask them to move out of the room.
• If you are having dairy products, make sure that they have low fat or fat free. Add fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet. Avoid salt (sodium), added sugars, solid fats, and refined grains. Have the adequate amount of protein.
• Do exercise on daily basis whatever you like walking, bicycling, or swimming. It helps to maintain the blood flow smoothly. The more you exercise, the more the blood move smoothly as blood circulation gets increased.
• Keep a close eye on your weight. Being overweight means it will put the burden on your heart. Go for having a balanced diet and do exercise on regular basis.
• Stay away from illegal drugs. Do not drink alcohol too much. Have just adequate amount of it. If you are on congestive heart failure treatments, let your doctor know about your alcohol habit.

How is CHF diagnosed?
Your doctor may refer you to cardiologist after examining your symptoms. Your cardiologist will conduct a physical exam in which listening to your heart with a stethoscope may also be included in order to detect abnormal heart rhythms. Your cardiologist might suggest some particular diagnostic tests to check your heart’s valves, blood vessels, and chambers. There are some tests which your cardiologist may recommend to kick off treatments for congestive heart failure.

• Electrocardiogram
• Echocardiogram
• MRI
• Stress tests
• Blood tests
• Cardiac catheterization

Treatment for congestive heart failure
Your doctor will suggest you the right medicines after examining your condition. What medicines you will be prescribed depends on your overall health as well as how far your condition has progressed. There is a comprehensive range of medication for congestive heart failure treatment including:

• ACE Inhibitors stands for Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors which make you get rid of narrowed blood vessels issues to improve blood flow.
• If ACE does not go well with your condition, your doctor may suggest you for vasodilators.
• Beta blockers is helpful to reduce the blood pressures. These may also be prescribed for the treatment of congestive heart failure.
• Diuretics may also be prescribed by your doctor to mitigate your body’s fluid content. CHF may occur when your body starts retaining more fluid than it should. Thiazide diuretics, loop diuretics, and potassium-sparing diuretics.
• If medicines do not work to you, surgeries may be required to help your valves open and close in an adequate manner.
• Do not go for taking any medicines on your own without consulting your physician. It may lead to the worsening of the condition.

Best hospitals/clinics for congestive heart failure treatment
There many best hospitals and clinic imparting the best treatment for congestive heart failure. The prominent ones have cited as follows:

• Abbott Northwestern Hospital
• Abington Hospital-Jefferson Health
• Abrazo Central Campus
• Adena Medical Center
• Adventist Healthcare Shady Grove Medical Center
• Adventist Health Glendale
• Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital
• Advocate Christ Medical Center
• Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital
• Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital