"Heart failure" doesn't mean the heart has stopped working. As this eMedTV resource explains, it means that the heart has become weak and is having trouble pumping blood throughout the body. Symptoms, treatment, and prognosis are also discussed.
This eMedTV page explains how, without a mechanical heart pump or a heart transplant, refractory congestive heart failure usually gets worse and eventually leads to death. Other ways to manage the condition are also described.
This page from the eMedTV library provides a discussion on the causes of congestive heart failure. Common causes include heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, drug or alcohol abuse, and thyroid disorders.
Heart failure risks, as this eMedTV segment explains, are increased in men, African Americans, children with congenital heart disease, and those over age 65. The exact ways in which these factors increase a person's risk is also discussed.
This eMedTV Web page describes in detail some of the most common signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure, such as shortness of breath, cough, fatigue, and limitations on physical activity. The classes of symptoms are also described.
This eMedTV page explains the process doctors use when making a congestive heart failure diagnosis. In most cases, they examine your medical history, conduct a physical exam, and perform certain tests, such as an echocardiogram or cardiac catheterization.
This eMedTV Web page outlines the different ways of treating congestive heart failure, such as lifestyle changes and medications. This article explains the goals of treatment and also talks about how treatment works in severe cases.
This eMedTV page describes the ventricular assist device, which is used to aid the pumping action of a weakened heart ventricle. The device can partially relieve the symptoms of severe heart failure, such as breathlessness and fatigue.
This eMedTV Web page offers tips for preventing congestive heart failure. For example, eating a diet low in salt, saturated fat, and cholesterol; quitting smoking; and losing weight can all help reduce your risk of developing this condition.
This eMedTV segment explains how following your treatment plan as directed, making needed lifestyle modifications, and having end-of-life discussions with your doctor and family can help make living with heart failure less of a challenge.
The information presented in this article from the eMedTV library focuses on blacks with congestive heart failure and a new drug (BiDil) that may help relieve symptoms. The results of a clinical study on the drug are also presented.
