What Is Congestive Heart Failure? |
||||
| By: Pete Gemmer05 | ||||
Managing the Symptoms When a person has congestive heart failure, he or she may feel tired and have trouble breathing. This is caused by fluid backup, which can lead to edema—or swelling—in the ankles, legs, and feet. “Congestive heart failure is characterized by fluid buildup in the lungs,” says Dr. Wagoner. “It’s vital that people with CHF manage their blood pressure as well as their sodium and liquid intake. There is a careful balance between the heart and the kidneys, so it’s essential patients manage fluid and salt intake correctly.”It’s also important that patients maintain a healthy diet filled with fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains in addition to regularly exercising. Quitting smoking can also reduce your risk of coronary heart disease, which can lead to CHF. Current Advancements in Treatments Thanks to advances in technology and medicine, congestive heart failure can now be treated more aggressively and with better results for patients. “In the past few years, great strides have been made in the treatment of CHF,” says Dr. Wagoner. “Beta blockers have made a major difference in how CHF is treated. Devices such as biventricular pacemakers can also help prevent arrhythmias.” On rare occasions, heart transplants might be an option for very ill patients coping with congestive heart failure. “If a CHF patient is in the hospital on intravenous medications, a heart transplant could be a good treatment option,” says Dr. Wagoner. “However, the donor pool is quite small, so this is only for a select group of patients.” Providing High-Quality Care At Mercy Hospital Fairfield, the medical staff is committed to providing the best care available for congestive heart failure. “We have a very active research program that is constantly testing new therapies,” says Dr. Wagoner. “Additionally, we have a cardiac rehabilitation program that is specifically targeted at treating the symptoms of CHF. The nurses help educate patients and make them a partner in their own care.” Mercy Hospital Fairfield also provides one of the first clinics in the area to offer ultra filtration, a passive fluid removal system that helps patients maintain fluid balance. “Most CHF patients are given diuretics to help remove fluid,” says Jennifer Bittner, RN, BSN, manager of cardiovascular services at Mercy Hospital Fairfield. “However, when used over time, they don’t work as well. Ultra filtration is a minimally invasive procedure that can give patients a break from using diuretics.” Currently, Mercy Hospital Fairfield is in the process of developing an outpatient CHF clinic. “Our card iac nurse practitioner helps to follow up with patients who are currently dealing with CHF,” says Bittner. “She consults with patients and makes sure they understand their medications, and also keeps a close eye on their weight.” Take Care of Yourself Now Even after a diagnosis, good health habits and awareness can save lives. If you or a loved one is currently dealing with congestive heart failure, it’s important to be educated about the condition and manage your symptoms. By learning the signs and symptoms of worsening heart failure, patients can seek medical attention earlier, says Dr. Wagoner. “This could help save their lives.” Even though Mercy has advanced care options for CHF, prevention is the best medicine. “Prevention is key. If people have a family history of CHF, they should start working toward better health now,” says Dr. Wagoner. “Blood pressure management as well as aggressive treatment of diabetes and high cholesterol can help prevent coronary disease, which can lead to heart failure if left untreated.” |
||||
| Article Source: http://4health.co.za | ||||
|
||||
|
||||
| © 2010 4health.co.za |
