MayoClinic.org defines congestive heart failure, also known as CHF, to be a condition in which a patient’s heart is unable to effectively pump blood rich in oxygen to all parts of the body. Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and College of Medicine goes further to explain that the term "congestive" is used as lung congestion brings about the major symptoms of this heart failure. MayoClinic.com states that the conditions of heart failure are narrowed arteries in the heart, also known as coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. The symptoms of CHF greatly depend on the side of the heart affected. This splits CHF into left-side CHF and right-side CHF symptoms.
Coronary Artery Disease
According to MayoClinic.com, coronary artery disease can occur due to CHF. It further describes coronary artery disease as a condition that occurs when the coronary arteries become damaged or diseased. The coronary arteries are the major vessels around the heart constantly supplying it with oxygen-rich blood and nutrients as well. Sometimes a buildup of cholesterol containing deposits arises inside the arteries, and this damage is known as coronary artery disease.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, a condition also known as hypertension, can result from CHF. The heart pumps blood pressure in vessels to move the blood along at optimum speeds according to the body’s needs. According to MayoClinic.com, the more blood is pumped by the heart and the narrower the blood vessels, the higher the blood pressure will be. The higher the blood pressure a person has, the more resistance there is to blood flow.
Shortness of Breath and Pulmonary Edema
The Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Centre and College of Medicine describes the symptoms of left-side CHF as fatigue and mild exertion dyspnea. Mild exertion dyspnea is a shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing when the body is performing a small effort. When this shortness of breath occurs during sleep, it is termed orthopnea. The most serious symptom that can arise is called a pulmonary edema, where fluids accumulate in the lungs. Right-side CHF greatly reduces the amount of blood that goes back to the heart, and causes swelling of the feet, ankles and abdomen. Patients with this kind of CHF are always tired and experience a loss of appetite.
