Congestive Heart Disease Information
Anna Hart
Congestive heart disease is a physical disorder in which the
heart no longer pumps hard enough. Since the heart pumps
weakly, blood can back up into the lungs, liver,
gastrointestinal tract, and extremities.
Congestive heart disease is also called congestive heart
failure (CHF), cardiac failure, or heart failure. These names
can be misleading, since they seem to indicate that the heart
has totally failed and that death is imminent. This is not the
case. Congestive heart disease is nearly always a chronic,
long-term condition, although it does sometimes develop
suddenly.
How Common Is Congestive Heart Disease?
Of 100 people between the ages of 27 and 74, approximately 2
have congestive heart disease. That means about 6 million
people in the U.S. are affected by the disease. After age 74,
congestive heart disease becomes more common. It is said to be
the leading cause of hospitalization among senior citizens.
Causes of Congestive Heart Disease
Congestive heart disease has many causes. They include, but are
not limited to, the following causes:
* Weakening of the heart muscle due to viral infections. The
weakness may also be caused by toxins such as alcohol abuse.
* Weakening of the heart muscle by coronary artery disease that
has led to heart attacks.
* Weakening of the heart muscle by heart valve disease that
involves large amounts of blood leakage.
* Heart muscle stiffness caused by a blocked heart valve.
* Uncontrolled high blood pressure, also called hypertension.
* High levels of the thyroid hormone.
* Excessive use of amphetamines ("speed").
Symptoms of Congestive Heart Disease
Either side of the heart muscle may weaken and cause congestive
heart disease. The symptoms of congestive heart disease depend
on the side of the heart that is affected. They can include
these:
* asthma that can be attributed to the heart
* blood pooling in the body's overall circulation
* blood pooling in the liver's circulation
* enlargement of the heart
* shortness of breath
* skin color that appears bluish or dusky
* swelling of the body, especially the extremities
Congestive Heart Disease Risk Factors
As is true with most heart disease, family history is a major
risk factor for congestive heart disease. Genetics cannot
easily be altered. Age is a second risk factor that cannot be
changed. Congestive heart disease is particularly prevalent
among older people.
Aside from those two, however, risk factors can and should be
addressed. Here are 7 risk factors for congestive heart disease
that you may want to discuss with your health care provider.
1. High blood pressure: This is the highest risk factor for
congestive heart disease! Men with uncontrolled high blood
pressure are twice as likely as those with normal blood
pressure to suffer congestive heart disease. If a woman has
uncontrolled high blood pressure, she is three times as likely
as women with normal blood pressure to develop congestive heart
disease.
2. Heart Attacks: This is the second highest risk factor for
congestive heart disease. Those who have had heart attacks that
resulted in damage to the heart muscle, and scarring of the
muscle tissue, have increased risks of experiencing congestive
heart disease.
3. High Cholesterol: Showing high levels of cholesterol,
particularly when levels of HDL are low, is listed as another
risk factor for congestive heart disease.
4. Diabetes: Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are risk factors
for developing congestive heart disease.
5. Obesity: Men and women who are overweight unnecessarily
increase their risks of experiencing congestive heart disease.
The heart must work harder when the body is not at a healthy
weight, and can begin to lose its ability to deliver blood
efficiently.
6. Prolonged Physical Inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle, with
little exercise, puts people at risk for congestive heart
disease, especially as they increase in age. The heart needs
cardiovascular exercise to remain strong and able to function
well.
7. Smoking: Smoking increases the heart's workload. It also
affects the lungs. This is a risk for congestive heart disease
that anyone can eliminate.
CAUTION: Please see your doctor if you have reason to think you
may have one or more of the risk factors or symptoms of
congestive heart disease. The information contained in this
article is for educational purposes only.
About The Author: € ¦©2007, Anna Hart. Anna's mother-in-law
suffered from congestive heart disease. In addition, being
married to a man who suffers from heart disease, Anna brings to
her writing years of experience and research. She invites you to
read more of her articles about heart disease at
http://www.your-heart-disease-blog.com . If you know someone who
faces open heart surgery, you won't want to miss Anna's personal
insights on that. Visit Anna now.
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