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50% of people with congestive heart failure will diet within 5 years of the diagnosis.
About six million Americans have congestive heart failure (CHF), a serious heart disease that affects blood circulation. Zaki Lababidi, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Sharolyn McClurg, NP, and the Cardiology At Home team in Gilbert, Arizona, specialize in diagnosing and treating congestive heart failure. Cardiology At Home is a telehealth practice assessing and monitoring your CHF remotely using advanced telecommunication technology. They also do home visits. Call today or use the online booking button to schedule your CHF evaluation.
Congestive heart failure sounds scary. Is my heart going to stop working?
Congestive heart failure (CHF), also called heart failure, means your heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the needs of your body. Your heart works, but it’s either unable to fill up with enough blood or is too weak to adequately pump blood throughout the body.
When your heart is unable to move blood throughout the body, it collects in the legs or lungs, causing swelling and shortness of breath.
Health conditions that overwork the heart, like hypertension or coronary artery disease (CAD), may cause CHF. You can also develop a heart condition after having a heart attack.
What does congestive heart failure feel like?
Congestive heart failure symptoms vary based on the severity of the disease.
Shortness of breath during physical activity is one of the early symptoms. As your heart weakens, you may become short of breath doing everyday things like getting dressed. You may also find it difficult to breathe when you lie down.
You may also have chest pain, heart palpitations, and swelling in the legs and feet and feel weak and tired.
If you have any of these symptoms, schedule a CHF evaluation with Cardiology At Home. The team performs cardiology evaluations through their telehealth platform, providing expert cardiology care from the comfort of your home.
What can I do to manage my congestive heart failure?
The Cardiology At Home doctors create personalized plans for CHF. Treatment depends on the severity of your disease but may include:
- Following a heart-healthy diet
- Getting regular exercise
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Limiting fluid intake
- Taking medications to remove excess fluids, relax the blood vessels, or slow heart rate
- Placing a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
The goal of your CHF plan is to minimize symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.
Can I prevent congestive heart failure?
You can prevent congestive heart failure by improving how you manage health conditions that cause it, like hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly are lifestyle habits that benefit the heart and may lower your risk of developing heart diseases like CHF.
CHF is a serious health condition, but with the right treatment plan, you can live a full and active life. Call Cardiology At Home today or book an appointment online to learn more about CHF.