Congestive Heart Failure

Diagnosis

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a medical condition in which a weakened heart is not pumping as well as it should be. A few common causes of CHF are high blood pressure, heart attacks, and heart valve abnormalities. As a result of CHF, the flow of blood fails to move normally and fluid begins to collect in the tissues.

Fluid may collect in areas such as the legs, feet, and lungs. Fluid found in legs and feet results in swelling. Collection of fluid in the lungs can make you feel short of breath. This often can be seen by a chest x-ray or the nurse and doctor can hear the fluid by listening to the lungs with a stethoscope.

What You Can Expect While In The Hospital

The nurse and doctor will listen to your heart and lungs.
You may be weighed daily.
Diet-low salt.
Rest and modified exercise.
You may be started on new medications.
One of the medications you will be started on may cause you to go to the bathroom frequently to get rid of the excess water.

Things To Do And Watch For At Home
Weigh yourself daily at the same time every morning with the same amount of clothing. If you gain 2 to 3 pounds in a 24-hour period, you need to contact your physician.
Watch for swelling in legs, arms, feet, hands, and face. If your sleeping habits change due to breathing difficulties, contact your physician.
Diet-watch excess salt intake. Read labels for sodium (salt) content, and reduce as much as possible.
Medications - organize your pills and take them on time. This is very important. Do not discontinue pills without your physician's knowledge. Keep a list of your daily medications for your physician's reference.
Allow for more adequate rest and sleep. Follow the exercise recommendation from your physician. If you tire easily and become more short of breath during exercise, stop and call your physician.
Be sure to maintain follow-up appointments.





	Diagnosis Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a medical condition in which a weakened heart is not pumping as well as it should be. A few common causes of CHF are high blood pressure, heart attacks, and heart valve abnormalities. As a result of CHF, the flow of blood fails to move normally and fluid begins to collect in the tissues. Fluid may collect in areas such as the legs, feet, and lungs. Fluid found in legs and feet results in swelling. Collection of fluid in the lungs can make you feel short of breath. This often can be seen by a chest x-ray or the nurse and doctor can hear the fluid by listening to the lungs with a stethoscope. What You Can Expect While In The Hospital The nurse and doctor will listen to your heart and lungs. You may be weighed daily. Diet-low salt. Rest and modified exercise. You may be started on new medications. One of the medications you will be started on may cause you to go to the bathroom frequently to get rid of the excess water. Things To Do And Watch For At Home Weigh yourself daily at the same time every morning with the same amount of clothing. If you gain 2 to 3 pounds in a 24-hour period, you need to contact your physician. Watch for swelling in legs, arms, feet, hands, and face. If your sleeping habits change due to breathing difficulties, contact your physician. Diet-watch excess salt intake. Read labels for sodium (salt) content, and reduce as much as possible. Medications - organize your pills and take them on time. This is very important. Do not discontinue pills without your physician's knowledge. Keep a list of your daily medications for your physician's reference. Allow for more adequate rest and sleep. Follow the exercise recommendation from your physician. If you tire easily and become more short of breath during exercise, stop and call your physician. Be sure to maintain follow-up appointments. The information contained in this web site is presented for information purposes only, and is not intended to substitute in any way a consultation with a physician or competent healthcare professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment.