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 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. disease is nearly always a chronic, long-term condition, although it does sometimes develop suddenly.
How Common Is Disease?
Of 100 people between the ages of 27 and 74, approximately 2 have disease. That means about 6 million people in the U.S. are affected by the disease. After age 74, disease becomes more common. It is said to be the leading cause of hospitalization among senior citizens.
Causes of 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 Disease
Either side of the heart muscle may weaken and cause disease. The symptoms of 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 disease. Genetics cannot easily be altered.
Age is a second risk factor that cannot be changed. 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 disease that you may want to discuss with your health care provider.
1. High blood pressure: This is the highest risk factor for disease! Men with uncontrolled high blood pressure are twice as likely as those with normal blood pressure to suffer disease. If a woman has uncontrolled high blood pressure, she is three times as likely as women with normal blood pressure to develop disease.
2. Heart Attacks: This is the second highest risk factor for 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 disease.
3. High Cholesterol: Showing high levels of cholesterol, particularly when levels of HDL are low, is listed as another risk factor for disease.
4. Diabetes: Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are risk factors for developing disease.
5. Obesity: Men and women who are overweight unnecessarily increase their risks of experiencing 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 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 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.
