Congestive Heart Failure

What Is Congestive Heart Failure? 

Congestive heart failure, often simply referred to as heart failure, happens when your heart doesn’t pump blood as well as it is meant to. There are certain conditions that weaken or stiffen your heart over time, making it more difficult to fill and pump efficiently. These vary across a spectrum of heart conditions, including high blood pressure and coronary artery disease (the narrowing of heart arteries).

Unfortunately, not every condition that leads to heart failure is reversible. However, there are ways to improve your heart health and address different symptoms and signs of heart failure. When you make lifestyle changes that increase physical activity and reduce stress, for example, you improve your quality of life. 

With the help of your Kingwood cardiologist at Texas Cardiology Associates of Houston, you can also work to prevent congestive heart failure by preventing and managing conditions that lead to it.

What Are the Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure? 

Congestive heart failure can be either chronic or acute, which means ongoing or sudden respectively. The symptoms and warning signs associated with heart failure vary. However, they often point to underlying causes that can help to prevent heart failure down the road. 

Here are a few examples of the signs and symptoms:  

• Swelling in the legs, feet, and ankles
• Persistent coughing or wheezing with white or pink (blood-tinged) phlegm 
• Increased urination in the evening 
• Nausea or lack of appetite 
• Rapid and/or irregular heartbeat 
• Rapid weight gain from retaining fluid 
• Shortness of breath after exertion or while lying down 
• Reduced capacity for exercise 
• Difficulty concentrating 
• Chest pain – when caused by a heart attack
• Abdominal swelling 
• Fatigue and weakness 

As you can see, the range of symptoms is quite broad. If you are concerned about your risk for congestive heart failure, contact our team immediately. One of our physicians can help to diagnose any conditions and provide a comprehensive treatment plan. 

What Are the Risk Factors of Congestive Heart Failure? 

Even one risk factor can lead to heart failure. However, a combination only increases your risk. Consider scheduling an appointment with your Kingwood cardiologist if any of the following pertain to you. 

High Blood Pressure

When your blood pressure is high, your heart is forced to work harder than necessary. 

Coronary Artery Disease 

Narrowing arteries can limit the oxygen-rich blood supplied to your heart, weakening the muscle. 

Heart Attack 

This is a sudden form of coronary disease that damages your heart, potentially leaving it unable to pump enough blood. 

Diabetes 

When you suffer from diabetes, it increases your risk for both coronary artery disease and hypertension. 

Certain Medications 

There are certain medications that can lead to heart problems, including heart failure. They include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anesthesias, some anti-arrhytmic medicines, some medications that treat a broad spectrum of conditions, and other prescription or over-the-counter medicines. 

Consult your physician to see whether your medications are interfering with your heart health. Do not stop taking medications without a doctor’s recommendation. If you have any questions, ask your doctor what changes they might recommend. 

Sleep Apnea 

In sleep apnea, you have trouble breathing as you sleep, resulting in low blood oxygen levels. This increases the risk of irregular heart rhythms. Both of these have the potential to weaken the heart. 

When Should I See a Kingwood Cardiologist? 

It is essential to see your physician when you feel you may be experiencing any symptoms of heart failure. Your trained, experienced cardiologist at TCAH will work with you to provide a personalized treatment plan to ensure you are on the road to improved heart health. 

If you experience any of the following, please seek emergency treatment: 

• Chest pain 
• Fainting
• Severe weakness or fatigue 
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat along with shortness of breath, fainting, or chest pain
• Sudden, severe shortness of breath accompanied by pink, foamy mucus

While these signs may be linked with congestive heart failure, there are many potential causes, some of which are life-threatening. It is essential that you do not try to diagnose yourself. 

Call 911 for immediate help, and emergency room doctors will work to stabilize you. Moreover, they will determine whether your symptoms were caused by heart failure or another condition. 

Should you have a diagnosis of heart failure and any of your symptoms become worse, it may mean that existing heart failure is worsening. If left untreated, the consequences are quite dire.