Causes
This condition, characterized by the narrowing of the coronary arteries, is the most common cause of congestive heart failure.
What is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?
This common symptom of CHF involves fluid retention, causing the feet, ankles, and legs to swell.
What is edema?
This part of the heart, which pumps oxygen-rich blood to the body, is often impaired in left-sided heart failure.
What is the left ventricle?
This type of diet is often recommended for CHF patients to help control symptoms by limiting sodium intake and avoiding excess fluid retention.
What is a low-sodium diet?
This condition, which affects blood pressure, can lead to the heart muscle becoming too stiff or weak, increasing the risk of CHF
What is hypertension?
This condition, characterized by shortness of breath, especially when lying down, is common in CHF patients.
What is orthopnea?
In right-sided heart failure, this part of the body is most affected by edema due to the inability to pump blood effectively.
What are the legs?
This type of medication, commonly used in CHF, helps to remove excess fluid from the body.
What are diuretics?
This type of disease, where the heart's mitral or aortic valve becomes damaged or diseased, can lead to heart failure over time.
This phenomenon, where fluid accumulates in the lungs and causes difficulty breathing, is a classic sign of heart failure.
What is pulmonary congestion or pulmonary edema?
The body's compensatory mechanism in CHF often leads to fluid retention and increased blood volume due to activation of this hormone.
What is aldosterone?
This class of drugs is commonly prescribed to reduce blood pressure and fluid buildup in CHF patients by blocking the effects of the sympathetic nervous system.
What are beta-blockers?
This condition, where the heart's pumping ability is compromised by damage to the heart muscle, is a common cause of CHF.
What is a myocardial infarction (heart attack)?
People with CHF often experience this symptom, which involves waking up at night feeling short of breath.
What is paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea or PND?
In heart failure, this compensatory response involves the kidney retaining sodium and water to increase blood volume, which can worsen fluid overload and contribute to worsening symptoms.
What is the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)?
This class of drugs is used in CHF to relax blood vessels, decrease blood pressure, and reduce the heart's workload by inhibiting the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II.
What are ACE inhibitors?