Congestive Heart Failure: A Cardiovascular Condition
Congestive Heart Failure is not a disease, but a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood needed to meet the cardiac demands of the body and facilitate systemic circulation. Congestive Heart Failure can be right or left-sided, and is mainly a fluid issue, in which there is a decreased amount of blood to the kidneys. In children, CHF can be long term and is most common in infants; it can also result from heart failure where ventricle contractility is impaired after an increased workload on the heart. “For most infants diagnosed with CHF, the cause is Congenital Heart Disease”(Perry, Hockenberry, Lowdermilk, …show more content…
Blood tests for congestive heart failure checks for levels of a hormone called B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). Large amounts of BNP could indicate CHF. Coronary catheterization, or angiogram, is used to identify the strength of ones left ventricle and the health of the heart valves using a dye that is visible under x-ray. An echocardiogram can be used to produce a video image of your heart 's size, structure and function. It can help doctors determine the percentage of blood being pumped out of the left ventricle. “Right heart catheterization is a test in which a catheter is inserted through the neck or groin and is guided into the heart to measure pressures within the chambers” ("CHF Testing," 2011, p. 2). These various tests, or combinations of tests, helps guide health care teams in the proper treatment of CHF.
Medical treatment of Congestive Heart Failure includes but is not limited to: improving the heart’s function; removal of fluid in the peritoneal and thoracic cavities; decreasing cardiac demands; increasing tissue perfusion; and treating anaphylaxis. The primary focus is treating any underlying causes of signs and symptoms associated with …show more content…
Some well-known persons include: Bill Clinton, David Letterman, Larry King, Mike Ditka, Tommy Lasorta, Dick Cheney, Phyllis Diller, Elizabeth Taylor and Victoria Gotti. Famous people such as these often have access to better health care because of financial stability. This often times proves beneficial when treating congestive heart failure in earlier stages, and helps them extend their lifespan with less signs and symptoms. Unfortunately they also live a life that is altered by their disease and ultimately no form of financial stability will cure the condition.
Congestive Heart Failure is not a disease, but a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood needed to meet the cardiac demands of the body and facilitate systemic circulation. There are many signs and symptoms of CHF, and if untreated damage to the heart occurs. Medical treatment can be extensive, but easily implemented with preparation, attention and care.