Congestive heart failure, which causes blood vessels to be narrowed and not supply enough oxygen-rich blood to the body, causes a very common condition called congestive heart failure. This condition affects men and women of all ages, but it commonly occurs in people over the age of 50. While there have been many advances in heart disease treatments, researchers still believe that the outlook for those with this disease is still grim, with as few as half of those affected by it have an expected lifespan of less than five years.

Why does congestive heart failure occur?

Simple. Oxygen is carried through the blood using ventricles. The heart pumps blood from the lungs to the capillaries in the arms and legs, where oxygen is delivered to the muscles to allow them to work. In order for the heart to work properly, the valves in the blood vessels need to be open so blood can flow through them.

However, if there is something that prevents the valves from being open or the arteries from carrying enough oxygen-rich blood back to the heart, the situation will lead to heart attacks or the diagnosis of congestive heart failure. In the beginning stages, the problem can cause the heart muscle to tense up.

When to see a doctor?

As time goes on, the heart muscles will slowly deteriorate due to lack of use and begin to die. The walls of the heart chambers themselves will begin to deteriorate, making it easier for fluid to leak into the arteries. Eventually, all the nutrients and other substances needed by the heart muscle to function will be taken away due to the build-up of toxins in the blood.

There are several things that can contribute to the onset of congestive heart failure. Individuals with Type 1 diabetes can be at a higher risk.

Risk factors of CHF

Additionally, some individuals are at a higher risk when it comes to certain types of cancer, brain strokes, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking and other health risks. These are all diseases that will increase the length of your life if you have them. Medications can play a role in how long your life expectancy is as well.Some of the main symptoms may not always be symptomatic of only congestive heart failure. Shortness of breath may be a symptom but this is normally associated with another illness.

Common Symptoms of Heart Failure

Another symptom of shortness of breath is irregular heart beat. This is usually indicated by dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness. Fluid buildup may also be an indication of shortness of breath but it is normally due to cardiac stress which is caused by an underlying condition, such as heart disease or a heart valve that has suffered damage.

Treatment options for Heart Failure

Certain types of medications can be prescribed for the treatment of congestive heart failure. These medications include beta-blockers, diuretics and antiplatelets. Beta-blockers affect the muscles around the heart by reducing the rate of contraction of the cardiac muscle. Most recently stem cells have been used to treat heart failure along with diuretics reduce the amount of fluid in the body and diuretics are used primarily to treat high blood pressure. The side effects of these medications include fatigue, dizziness, confusion and nausea.An effective treatment method of congestive heart failure is heart muscle pump therapy. It is a procedure that allows doctors to bypass the heart muscles and pump blood directly to the legs and feet.

Long-term outlook after heart bypass surgery

A bypass surgery has a lower success rate than other procedures, but can be an effective treatment if you are suffering from severe symptoms such as shortness of breath. Other procedures such as coronary bypass surgery may be required for more severe cases of the disease.If you are suffering from congestive heart failure and have had previous surgical procedures or a heart attack, you should notify your doctor immediately that you are considering a bypass.

Before undergoing the procedure, talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks. Discuss whether it would be beneficial for you. Your doctor can also tell you whether or not you would need ongoing medications after the procedure. Your doctor can also provide information about the most common medications used in this procedure along with their recommended dose and length of use.