Congestive heart failure is when the heart does not pump enough blood to the other organs in the body. Congestive heart failure can often result from heart disease and narrowed arteries. Rheumatic fever can result in heart valve disease which can result in congestive heart failure as can disease of the heart muscle and coronary artery disease.

Congestive heart failure and disease result in a heart which works a lot less efficiently than it should and can cause further problems. Symptoms often include swelling and edema, shortness of breath and kidney problems which in turn can lead to unexplained weight gain. Even high blood pressure and alcohol abuse can lead to congestive heart failure or diseases which can cause the problem.

A patient may be tested for congestive heart failure if they have previously suffered from heart disease, are alcoholic, have a family history of heart problems or display one or all of the symptoms that are caused by congestive heart failure. There are various examinations that assist a doctor in diagnosing this heart problem. Treatment should begin immediately, starting with changes to diet and exercise as patients should eliminate salt from the diet altogether and strictly limit their fluid intake. Further treatment should be assigned by a professional.

Treating Congestive Heart Failure and Disease

Congestive heart failure and disease can create a large amount of symptoms and treatment often includes less activity, a modified diet and various drugs. These drugs perform separate functions that can target both congestive heart failure and disease.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and vasodilators expand blood vessels and allow blood to flow easily without becoming blocked or congested while drugs like beta blockers improve the ventricle pumps in the heart. Digitalis increases the pumping of the heart while diuretics help the kidneys to remove excess water and salt in the body.

Because congestive heart failure is caused by various diseases and conditions, the treatments can vary. Some may be limited to a certain type of treatment while others require surgery. Congestive heart failure that results from disease and defects can be treated and although some people may require lots of rest and even a heart transplant, others can have reasonably normal lives with a relatively small amount of medical supervision. In the past the condition could have caused a patient to become an invalid but at present the majority of cases lead somewhat active lives.