Congestive heart failure, sometimes abbreviated CHF, is a condition that occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently. It is also known as heart failure. Symptoms of congestive heart failure include weight gain, swelling in the ankles, feet, and legs, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms result from edema, a build-up of fluid in the tissues of the body. When the heart does not adequately circulate the blood, the kidneys cannot remove enough water and salt from the bloodstream. As a result, the volume of blood increases, and excess liquid seeps into the body tissues. People with heart failure cannot exert themselves, and they easily become short of breath and tired. Serious cases of congestive heart failure can be life-threatening.
Physicians classify congestive heart failure into two main types. In one type, called systolic dysfunction, the heart cannot contract properly, reducing its ability to pump blood. In the other type, called diastolic dysfunction, the heart is less able to relax and thus fill its internal pumping chambers before each heartbeat. The most common causes of CHF include atherosclerosis (narrowed arteries), hypertension (high blood pressure), and damage to the heart from heart attacks. Other causes of congestive heart failure include diseases of the heart valves, infection of the heart muscle or valves, and inborn heart defects.
Physicians diagnose congestive heart failure with blood tests, chest X-rays, and tests called echocardiograms and electrocardiograms. An echocardiogram produces an image of the heart using sound waves, while an electrocardiogram measures the electrical activity of the heart. Treatment of congestive heart failure includes rest and proper diet. Physicians can also prescribe drugs that lower blood pressure, improve blood flow, and help the heart muscle recover. Drugs called diuretics cause the patient to urinate more often, removing excess fluid to relieve edema. Physicians also treat the underlying cause of heart failure when possible. Such treatments may include surgery to repair or replace damaged heart valves, to bypass narrowed heart arteries, or to open heart arteries by inserting an expandable metal mesh called a stent. Surgeons may perform heart transplant surgery in some patients where the heart is damaged beyond repair.
