Congestive Heart Failure -- 718.780.7830

Congestive heart failure (CHF), or heart failure, is a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to the body's other organs. This can result from

• Narrowed arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle — coronary artery disease
• Past heart attack, or myocardial infarction, with scar tissue that interferes with the heart muscle's normal work
• High blood pressure
• Heart valve disease due to past rheumatic fever or other causes
• Primary disease of the heart muscle itself, called cardiomyopathy.
• Heart defects present at birth
• Infection of the heart valves and/or heart muscle itself

The "failing" heart keeps working but not as efficiently as it should. People with heart failure can't exert themselves because they become short of breath and tired.

How do you diagnose and treat heart failure?

Your NYM doctor is the best person to make the diagnosis. The most common signs of congestive heart failure are swollen legs or ankles or difficulty breathing. Another symptom is weight gain when fluid builds up.
CHF usually requires a treatment program of

• Rest
• Proper diet
• Modified daily activities
• A combination of drugs

When a specific cause of congestive heart failure is discovered, it should be treated or, if possible, corrected. For example, some cases of congestive heart failure can be treated by treating high blood pressure. If the heart failure is caused by an abnormal heart valve, the valve can be surgically replaced. For some people, a heart device can reduce the risk sudden death. Learn more about cardiac resynchronization therapy, pacemakers and defibrillators.

To learn more about the NYM services provided to people living with heart failure, call 718.780.7830.