Congestive Heart Failure Overview
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs.
Although the term sounds frightening, the definition of congestive heart failure does not mean your heart has stopped — it just indicates it is not working effectively.
Causes of CHF often may include:
- Severe coronary artery disease, which decreases blood flow to the heart muscle
- A previous heart attack, which weakens the muscle tissue in the heart
- Prolonged high blood pressure
- Cardiomyopathy
- Abnormal heart valves
- Congenital heart disease
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Certain kinds of infections
According to the American Heart Association, more than 5 million people in the United States are currently living with heart failure and it's the most common reason for older adults to go to the hospital.
A full-service heart failure program
UPMC’s Advanced Heart Failure Center is among the nation’s leading programs of its kind and the only full-service center in western Pennsylvania. We offer standard and minimally invasive procedures to treat congestive heart failure and other serious heart conditions.
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Diagnosis
Congestive heart failure (CHF) usually develops slowly, as the heart tries to compensate for its loss of function.
The heart’s weak pumping action causes a build-up of fluid, or congestion, in the lungs and other body tissues.
As congestive heart failure progresses, the heart becomes weaker and symptoms begin.
Congestive heart failure symptoms
Early congestive heart failure signs include:
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling (edema) of the ankles and feet
- Fatigue and weakness
- Irregular or rapid heart beat
- Persistent or wheezing cough (possibly accompanied by white or blood-tinged phlegm)
- Rapid weight gain
- Increased or decreased urination
Testing for congestive heart failure
Congestive heart failure diagnosis begins with a physical exam and review of your symptoms and medical history.
The doctor will use a stethoscope to listen for:
- The crackling sounds of fluid in the lungs
- A heart murmur indicating faulty valves
- A quick heart beat
A chest x-ray can show if your heart is enlarged and if you have fluid in an around your lungs.
Your doctor may order additional diagnostic tests, including:
Testing results
Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to expect your test results and will call you when they're available.
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Treatment
Designed to help ease the workload of your heart, treatments for congestive heart failure (CHF) may include:
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Lifestyle changes |
- Quitting smoking
- Exercising
- Changing your diet
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Medicines |
- Medicines to strengthen the heart’s pumping ability
- Diuretics to rid the body of excess fluid
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Coronary interventions |
- Angioplasty to open up arteries
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Surgery |
- Heart valve repair
- Pacemaker insertion
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
- Left ventricular assist device implantation
- Heart transplantation
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Learn more about heart and vascular treatments at UPMC.
Request an appointment today.