Congestive cardiac failure (CCF) occurs when the heart muscle weakens or stiffens, rendering it incapable of pumping enough blood to meet the body's demands. This causes fluid to accumulate in the lungs, legs, and other organs, leading to shortness of breath, fatigue, oedema, and weight gain.
What Causes CCF?
CCF can be caused by various factors, including coronary artery disease (CAD), which narrows or blocks the artery that provides blood to the heart muscle. It lowers blood flow and oxygen to the heart, which can harm or weaken the muscle over time. CAD can also induce heart attacks, which are sudden and severe disruptions in blood flow to the heart that result in irreversible heart muscle damage.
If blood pressure is excessively high, it strains the heart and arteries, causing them to function harder and less efficiently.
Cardiomyopathy causes enlargement, thickness, or rigidity of the heart muscle. It can impair the heart's capacity to pump blood efficiently. Genetics, infections, alcohol and drug abuse, or unexplained reasons can cause cardiomyopathy.
Problems with heart valves: The four valves control blood flow. If the valves are damaged, leaky, or constricted, they can alter the amount and direction of blood flow, forcing the heart to work harder or less efficiently. Heart valve abnormalities can be congenital (existing at birth) or acquired (occurring later in life due to ageing, infection, or other causes).
How Is CCF Diagnosed?
Blood tests: These can measure the levels of certain substances in your blood, such as electrolytes, kidney and liver function, cholesterol, blood cells, and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a hormone that increases in CCF.
Chest X-ray: This can show the size and shape of your heart and lungs and detect any fluid buildup or congestion in your lungs.
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): This can record the electrical activity of your heart and detect any abnormal rhythms, damage, or enlargement of your heart.
Echocardiogram: This can use sound waves to create a moving image of your heart and measure how well your heart pumps blood and the thickness and size of your heart muscle.
Stress test: It can reveal any problems with your blood flow or oxygen supply to your heart.
Cardiomyopathy causes enlargement, thickening, or stiffness in the heart muscle. It can reduce the heart's ability to pump blood adequately. Genetics, infections, alcohol and drug addiction, or other unknown reasons can cause cardiomyopathy.
Problems with heart valves: The four valves control blood flow. If the valves are damaged, leaky, or constricted, they can alter the amount and direction of blood flow, forcing the qheart to work harder or less efficiently. Heart valve abnormalities can be congenital (existing at birth) or acquired (occurring later in life due to ageing, infection, or other causes).
How Is CCF Treated?
Slow down the progression of your CCF and prevent it from getting worse.
The treatment options for CCF depend on your condition's cause, type, and severity and your age, overall health, and preferences. Medications: Many kinds of medications can help treat CCF, such as:
Diuretics: These can help minimize fluid buildup and swelling in your body by causing you to urinate more.
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs): These can have similar effects as ACE inhibitors. However, they work by blocking the action of an angiotensin II hormone, which narrows your blood vessels and increases your blood pressure.
Beta-blockers can help slow down your heart rate and lower your blood pressure, reducing the stress on your heart. They can also improve the function of your heart muscle and prevent arrhythmias.
Aldosterone antagonists: These can help block the effects of a hormone called aldosterone, which causes fluid retention and increases blood pressure. They can also prevent or reverse some of the damage to your heart muscle caused by CCF.
Digoxin: This can help strengthen the contraction of your heart muscle, improving its pumping ability.
Nitrates can help relax and widen your blood vessels, improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure. They can also relieve chest pain and shortness of breath caused by CCF.
Hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate: These are two medications that are often used together to treat CCF in people who cannot take ACE inhibitors or ARBs.
Ivabradine: This medication treats CCF in people with a standard or near-normal heart rhythm but a high resting heart rate.
Anticoagulants: These medications prevent blood clots from forming in your blood vessels, reducing your risk of stroke or heart attack.
Antiplatelets: These medications prevent blood platelets from sticking together and forming clots, reducing your risk of stroke or heart attack. They are often used in people who have CCF and coronary artery disease.
Lifestyle changes: There are some changes that you can make to your lifestyle that can help you manage your CCF and improve your health, such as:
Exercising regularly: You should moderate physical activity most of the week unless your doctor advises otherwise. It can help strengthen your heart and lungs, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, improve blood circulation, and maintain a healthy weight. You should also consult your doctor before starting or changing your exercise routine and follow their recommendations and precautions.
Quitting smoking: You should quit smoking if you are a smoker, as smoking can damage your heart and blood vessels, increase your blood pressure and heart rate, reduce your oxygen supply, and worsen your CCF symptoms and prognosis.