Congestive Heart Failure: Killer Secretly - Medic Quotes
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Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Congestive Heart Failure: Killer Secretly

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a heart failure in pumping the blood supply needed by the body. This is because abnormalities occur in the heart muscles so that the heart cannot work normally. 

During this time, heart failure is described as a condition of the heart of someone who stopped working, in this case, it stopped beating. In fact, heart failure means the inability of the heart to pump blood or the inability of the heart to meet the normal blood quota needed by the body.


The Process of Congestive Heart Failure 

The heart has four chambers that have their respective tasks, namely the right and left porch at the top, and the right and left chambers at the bottom. Based on the location of the heart space, congestive heart failure can be divided into three types, namely left, right, and mixed.

Left-sided congestive heart failure

In patients with left-sided congestive heart failure, the ventricular space or the left ventricle of the heart does not function properly. This section should drain blood throughout the body through the aorta, then pass it to the arteries.

Because the left ventricular function does not run optimally, there is an increase in pressure on the left porch and surrounding blood vessels. This condition creates a buildup of fluid in the lungs ( pulmonary edema ). Furthermore, fluid buildup can also form in the abdominal cavity and legs. This lack of blood flow then interferes with kidney function, so that the body accumulates more water and salt than is needed.

In some cases, this disease can also not be due to the failure of the left ventricle in pumping blood. The inability of the left ventricle in relaxation also sometimes causes it. Because it is not able to do relaxation, there is a buildup of blood when the heart exerts back pressure to fill the heart space.

Right-sided congestive heart failure

This occurs when the right heart chambers have difficulty pumping blood to the lungs. As a result, blood returns to the veins (veins), to cause a buildup of fluid in the stomach and other body parts, such as the legs.

Right congestive heart failure often starts from left congestive heart failure, where there is excessive pressure in the lungs so that the ability of the right side of the heart to pump blood to the lungs becomes disturbed.

Mixed congestive heart failure

Left and right congestive heart failure occurs simultaneously.


What are the symptoms that appear?

There are several symptoms that indicate that a person is suffering from congestive heart failure. Although at the initial stage, the symptoms may not have an impact on general health conditions, as the condition worsens, the symptoms will become more evident.

There are at least three stages of symptoms that can be seen in a person with congestive heart failure. The first is the initial symptoms. At this stage, the patient experiences:
  • Foot and ankle swelling.
  • Easily tired, especially after doing physical activity.
  • Significant weight gain.
  • The more you want to urinate, especially at night.


If the patient's condition continues to worsen, the following symptoms will appear:

  • Irregular heartbeat.
  • Coughing due to pulmonary swelling.
  • Breathing wheezing .
  • Shortness of breath because the lungs are filled with fluid. Shortness will also appear when doing mild physical activity or while lying down.
  • Difficult to move because every time you do light physical activity, your body will feel tired.


Furthermore, congestive heart failure can be said to be severe, if the patient has experienced symptoms such as:

  • The spread of pain in the chest through the upper body, this condition can also indicate a heart attack.
  • The skin becomes bluish because the lungs are deprived of oxygen.
  • Short and fast breathing.
  • Fainted .

In conditions of severe congestive heart failure, symptoms will be felt even when the body is resting. At this stage, people with congestive heart failure will experience difficulty in undergoing daily activities.

What are the Dangers Faced by Patients with Congestive Heart Failure?

A person who experiences congestive heart failure needs to be aware of the safety of his life. Patients must immediately undergo treatment or will be faced with several risks of complications, including:

Other body organ failure

One of the organs that can experience failure is the kidney. This happens because, in patients with congestive heart failure, blood flow to the kidneys will decrease. If not given treatment, it can lead to kidney damage or kidney failure. Fluid accumulation can also occur in the liver. When this condition is not treated, liver dysfunction can occur.


Heart valve disorders

Congestive heart failure can cause an increase in heart blood flow pressure. This condition can eventually cause heart valve disorders. Advanced congestive heart failure can also cause heart swelling or enlargement of the heart so that the function of the heart valve cannot run normally.


Arrhythmias or heart rhythm disorders can be suffered by patients with congestive heart failure. This arrhythmia can occur due to a disruption of the heart's electrical flow which functions to regulate the rhythm and heartbeat. If a person with congestive heart failure then suffers from arrhythmias, he will be at high risk of stroke. Patients are also susceptible to thromboembolism, which is a blockage of blood vessels due to blood clots that are released.

Sudden cardiac arrest

One dangerous complication to watch out for congestive heart failure is sudden cardiac arrest. When the function of the heart is disrupted and not handled, over time the performance of the heart will experience a drastic decline and risk of experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. There are several things that cause this condition can occur in congestive heart failure. Among other things, because the heart does not get enough oxygen, there are nerve disorders that regulate heart function, or due to changes in the shape of the heart.

Overall, chronic heart failure, including congestive heart failure, is a significant contributor to mortality. About 2-3 out of 10 people who suffer from heart failure from the beginning to the middle, die each year. While in heart failure that has been severe, up to half the number of sufferers cannot be saved.

If you feel the symptoms of a heart problem, especially those that lead to congestive heart failure, you need to immediately see a doctor to prevent further complications.

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