Often referred to as heart failure, congestive heart failure, or CHF is a condition when the heart muscle can’t pump blood as efficiently as it should. It frequently brings shortness of breath because blood backs up frequently, and fluid accumulates in the lungs. Eventually, the heart becomes too weak to fill and pump blood adequately due to some heart disorders, such as coronary artery disease (coronary artery disease) or excessive blood pressure.
With proper care, symptoms of heart failure and its signs can be reduced. As a result, some individuals may live longer. A person’s quality of life can be enhanced by lifestyle changes like losing weight, exercising more, reducing salt (sodium) in the body’s diet, and managing stress. Congestive heart failure, however, poses a risk to life.
Congestive heart failure does not imply that the heart is no longer beating. Instead, it indicates that the heart operates at a lower efficiency level. Blood pressure rises in the heart and slows blood flow across the body due to several potential causes.
People with heart failure may experience other adverse symptoms, and some require a ventricular assist device or a heart transplant (VAD). Heart failure symptoms can range from moderate to severe or may not even be present. Symptoms might be ongoing or cyclical. The signs and symptoms include:
Shortness of Breath
Every day, many patients with heart issues experience shortness of breath. Breathlessness can be brought about by heart disorders such as angina, heart attacks, some irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation, and congestive heart failure. The body responds by breathing quicker to obtain more oxygen into the body if the heart isn’t pumping enough oxygen. It’s why a person experiencing congestive heart failure shows signs of shortness of breath.
Additionally, if the heart isn’t functioning as it should, this can lead to a buildup of fluid around the lungs, making breathing challenging. Breathlessness can also be caused by other disorders like anxiety, asthma, lung blood clots, cancer, or a chest infection like pneumonia.
Breathlessness can make it difficult for a person to do daily tasks and prevent the body from moving about. If the body cannot do the functions it once could, it is common to feel disappointed and alone. Some feel worried, unhappy, and overwhelmed. It can alter a person’s interactions with others and instill worry in them about the future.
