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Dealing with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure

The term “congestive heart failure” (CHF) is not as ominous as it sounds. “Failure,” in this case, actually means “not performing an expected action,” which in congestive heart failure refers to the heart not performing as well as it should. A normal, healthy heart is about the size of a fist and has four chambers that work together to send blood to the lungs and other tissues of the body. When the heart begins to have issues performing this “expected action,” it is referred to as heart failure. About 5.7 million adults in the United States are living with congestive heart failure according to the Center for Disease Control. Here is some information about this chronic condition.

What happens to the heart when it starts to “fail?”
When the heart can’t keep up with the expected workload due to damaged valves or other issues, the body tries to fix things in several ways. The first is that the heart may stretch and get larger to improve blood flow. Next, the heart may develop more muscle mass to pump more blood. The heart rate may also go higher to increase the blood flow. In some cases, the blood vessels become narrow so that the blood pressure is higher. Another way the body compensates for a weakened heart is to have the heart pump less blood to some less demanding organs like the kidneys and pump more blood to the important organs like the brain. Although these adaptations help, they also put strain on the heart and can damage it.

Because the body does a fairly good job of compensating for a failing heart, many people do not realize they have heart failure until significant damage has occurred and symptoms appear. Scheduling regular visits to the doctor can help diagnose heart issues so steps can be taken to minimize the effects of this disease.

Seven symptoms that need attention
If you experience any or all of these symptoms from the American Heart Association, consult your doctor to check for heart failure.

Shortness of breath: This is a sign that blood may be backing up in the veins that return the blood from the lungs to the heart because the heart is not working properly. Fluid can also leak into the lungs causing additional issues

Persistent coughing or wheezing: This can happen if the heart is not moving blood from the lungs at the proper pace.

Swelling and fluid in tissues: This can occur when blood is flowing too slowly causing fluid to build up in the tissues. The kidneys can’t dispose of water effectively when blood flow is reduced.

Fatigue: Feeling tired all of the time can happen when the body diverts the blood away from muscles and sends it to the heart and brain instead.

Lack of appetite: When the digestive system is not getting the proper blood flow, it creates digestion issues.

Confusion: When blood flow is not at the right level, certain substances like sodium can build up in the blood and cause impairments to thinking.

Increased heart rate: When it feels like your heart is racing, it may be the heart trying to compensate for lost blood flow.

Not a time to give up
Many people live full lives with congestive heart failure by learning to manage the symptoms. There are many ways to slow the progress of the disease from better diet and increased exercise to medications. The important thing is to make lifestyle changes as soon as you receive the diagnosis.

Managing CHF with other health concerns
Congestive heart failure can be addressed successfully, even after a major medical event, with help from medical professionals. Following the dietary guidelines, physical therapy programs and other instructions are important for a positive recovery outcome. Choosing to stay in a short-term care facility after a hospital stay is a positive way to make sure that all your needs are addressed in a timely and effective manner.

One of the premier places to receive this high level of expert care is Whitehall of Deerfield. Its team of therapists provide one-on-one physical and respiratory therapies up to seven days a week while an experienced nursing staff offers care around-the-clock. The medical team, which includes a full-time nurse practitioner and a full-time respiratory therapist, can address your health needs and can help you avoid any complications that could lead to your being re-hospitalized.

In addition to superior care, Whitehall of Deerfield offers a variety of hotel-like amenities that include attentive concierge service, daily delivery of Starbucks coffee and newspaper to your room, fresh baked goods, massage services, salon services, a wide-ranging choice of cuisine in selective menus to be enjoyed in a beautiful dining room or in the privacy of your room, complimentary ice cream shop, a putting green, a nostalgic Main Street with delightful diversions for both guests and visitors and much more.

When congestive heart failure needs to be addressed during a time of recovery, turn to Whitehall of Deerfield for the best level of care. To discover more about the services found at Whitehall of Deerfield, visit whitehallofdeerfield.com or call 847-945-4600.

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