The heart is an organ that pumps blood to all parts of the body. Oxygen and other nutrients are delivered to all the organs in the body through blood that the heart pumps out. In congestive heart failure, the heart is unable to pump enough blood throughout the body. It may be due to the heart not being able to contract with enough force or not being able to fill up with blood.
Causes
Heart failure can be caused by any factor that damages or overworks the heart. Such factors weaken the heart over time. Examples of conditions that could cause heart failure are coronary heart disease and high blood pressure or hypertension. Coronary heart disease involves narrowing of the arteries that supply the heart with blood. This leads to a reduction in the hearts blood supply and can weaken the heart muscles leading to heart failure. Hypertension causes the heart to work harder because it has to pump against increased pressure which can weaken the heart and cause it to fail. Other causes of heart failure include diabetes, cardiomyopathies, infection and inflammation of the heart, heart valve problems and arrhythmias.
Effects
The effects of heart failure in the body occur due to lack of adequate oxygen delivery to organs in the body and fluid build up. Individuals with heart failure may get tired easily because their muscles are not getting enough oxygen. They may also gain weight due to fluid accumulation in parts of the body such as the legs and stomach area. Coughing is another symptom of heart failure that is the result of fluid accumulation in the lungs. Fluid accumulation in the lungs can also cause shortness of breath or difficulty breathing in heart failure.
Risk Factors
According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, 5.7 million people in the United States have heart failure and this results in 300,000 heart failure-related deaths yearly. Individuals who are at risk for developing heart failure are those who have a family history of heart disease or who have heart disease, African Americans, men, those who are obese or overweight, diabetics, people who are older than 65 and children born with heart defects. Excessive alcohol consumption and kidney disease are also risk factors for heart failure.
Treatment
According to Mayo Clinic, heart failure can be corrected by treating its underlying cause. Heart failure caused by a heart valve defect can be corrected by surgically repairing the valve. Heart failure caused by weak or damaged heart muscles, however, has no cure but can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute reports that the goal of treatment in heart failure is to treat its underlying cause, reduce signs and symptoms of this condition, improve patients quality of life and prevent the disease from getting worse.
Prevention/Solution
Prevention of heart failure involves reducing associated risk factors or finding ways to control them. Heart disease is a risk factor for heart failure, therefore taking medication prescribed for any form of heart disease is one way to prevent heart failure from occurring. Other ways to prevent heart failure include not smoking, not being overweight, eating a heart healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables and whole grains, avoiding excessive intake of alcohol and being physically active.
