Congestive cardiac failure, also called heart failure, occurs when the heart is unable to pump sufficient levels of blood through the body. The complications of congestive cardiac failure can be life-threatening. Nearly 300,000 people die from congestive cardiac failure each year in the United States, making it the leading cause of death among people over the age of 65, report health professionals with the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Cardiac Cachexia
Cardiac cachexia, a condition in which affected patients quickly lose a significant amount of body weight, can occur as a complication of congestive cardiac failure. Patients who develop this complication typically lose approximately 7.5 percent of their normal body weight over a span of six months, explain UMMC health professionals.
Arrhythmia
Patients who experience congestive cardiac failure can develop unusual heart rate changes as a complication of this condition, warns MedlinePlus. Heart rate irregularities, also called arrhythmias, can be fatal if patients do not receive appropriate treatment. Affected patients can develop an unusually increased heart rate, which may be triggered by faulty electrical signaling throughout the heart muscle.
Poor Kidney Function
Poor kidney function can develop as a complication of congestive heart failure. This heart condition prevents blood from reaching the kidneys, which can cause fluid accumulation within these organs. Decreased kidney function can result in increased fatigue, upset stomach, cognitive decline, muscle cramps or itchy, discolored skin.
Pulmonary Edema
Patients with this condition can develop excess amounts of fluid in the lungs, or pulmonary edema. It causes severe breathing difficulties in affected patients. Pulmonary edema symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, restlessness, anxiety or unusual sweating. Additionally, certain patients may begin to cough up blood or can have difficulty speaking normally.
Circulatory Collapse or Death
Complete congestive cardiac failure, or circulatory collapse, can arise as a complication of this condition. When this occurs, the heart muscle fails to pump blood through the body, leading to multiple organ failure. Patients with circulatory collapse typically suffer fatal complications due to the rapid decline of organ function.
