JANUARY 2017 MIAMI for web

HEALTHY BODY
CONGESTIVE
HEART FAILURE
Once known as the silent killer,
Congestive Heart Failure no
longer has to be a death sentence.
For years, medical practitioners have
used the term congestive heart failure
to describe a disease process that, in its
simplest form, means congestive heart
inefficiency, and not an overall failure for
most. Once believed to be a verifiable
death sentence for patients, medical
science has matured, studied this health
issue, and through trial and error has
discovered that many forms of this heart
inefficiency don’t automatically equate
to a patient’s demise. On the contrary,
there are variations in this disease’s
process of infliction. Those living with
mild to moderate congestive heart failure
often times live full and normal lives with
the help of medication and treatments.
As is the case with many diseases in
the world, there are countless myths
and false claims attached to this one as
well. To date, what we in the medical
profession can state as an absolute fact is
the following:
p p • CHF is a condition meaning that
the heart’s pump function doesn’t
operate adequately to meet the
body’s basic needs.
p p • There is no one way to develop
this condition. Oftentimes it can
be brought on by other ailments or
disease processes.
p p • In general, the overall symptoms
of CHF vary from person to person,
but can include a diminished
exercise capacity, edema (swelling
in extremities, typically the lower
extremities).
p p • CHF is a progressive disease that
can worsen over time.
p p • Fatigue is a common occurrence.
p p • Shortness of breath is common.
Conditions such as valvular heart disease
or coronary artery disease can cause
weakness in the heart and can lead
to congestive heart failure. When this
weakness occurs, the heart can’t pump
blood through the body at a normal
(regular) rate or speed. This inability to
function properly causes pressure to
build up in the heart and its valves, and
that pressure reduces the flow of oxygenrich
blood throughout the body. When
this happens, the fluid becomes stagnant
and builds up in other organs, such as
the lungs. As less blood is pumped out of
the heart muscle, the blood that returns
doesn’t go back through the appropriate
channels adequately, which leads to
more fluid retention. This ends up putting
more extreme pressure on the heart and
other organs, and in turn, making this
whole vicious cycle even worse.
Patients, long before they are diagnosed
with congestive heart failure, must be
proactive when it comes to their health.
Learning how to identify the signs and
symptoms of diseases’ processes, such
as those of this disease will help their
medical team better treat them should
the time come. Relaying all information
to your doctor or healthcare provider will
help them recognize when something is
amiss, and eventually, help them build
a solid treatment plan for you. In most
cases, the treatment of congestive heart
failure will include lifestyle modifications
aimed at circumventing problems or
reversing detrimental factors. Medication
is often prescribed for the same. In severe
(advanced) cases, a heart transplant or
mechanical therapies may also become
necessary.
Congestive Heart Failure functional
capabilities for patients can be
classified in the following ways:
»»
Class I – Patients with no physical
mobility issues
»»
Class II – Patients with minor
physical mobility issues
»»
Class III – Patients with marked
limitations (unable to complete
ordinary tasks) without
modifications
»»
Class IV – Patients who cannot
complete tasks without extreme
discomfort
Understanding that this silent killer often
accompanies other disease processes
will help you recognize the signs and
symptoms before they become lifealtering
for you.
Also, keep in mind that serious risks
increase with age and other related
health conditions. Fully assess anything
that seems off with your body. Discuss it
with your healthcare team and adhere to
any recommendations they have for you.
If you are diagnosed, understand that
there are treatments that can help you
live normally, and possibly, reverse some
of the damage that’s already been done.
By Joaquin N. Diego, MD, FCCP, FACC
18 / HEALTHY MIAMI