Causes Of Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is the condition in which the heart cannot pump blood the nutrients effectively to the body’s organs. Excessive fluid buildup is common in the lungs and/or other such organs and body parts. In many cases of congestive heart failure, the fluid builds up in the lowest part of the body such as the feet referred as pedal edema or the lower back known as sacral edema if the patient is bedridden. This swelling is caused when the heart slows and the blood begins to back up into the lungs. When the heart fails, the arteries that supply the heart muscle are narrowed known as coronary artery disease.
The edema or swelling, is a sign of the heart failing to pump effectively. Many signs and symptoms include tachycardia …show more content…
Acute myocardial infarction is caused by the narrowing or the blocking of the coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle with oxygen. A myocardial infarction occurs when ischemic intracellular changes become irreversible and necrosis. The patient becomes more susceptible to another occurrence of a myocardial infarction or even lead up to heart failure. Coronary artery disease is the main cause of a myocardial infarction. Many patients that have an acute myocardial infarction often have chest pains that indicate the lack of oxygen to the heart muscle.
Some signs and symptoms of an acute myocardial infarction include angina pectoris such as tightness of the chest or a heaviness with a crushing oppressive quality. Pain that will radiate to other parts of the body such as the jaw or the extremities. Nausea, vomiting, and sweating are other symptoms that usually indicate acute myocardial infarction. Shortness of breath can also occur when the heart is limited to output. Anxiety, irregular heartbeats, belching, dyspnea diaphoresis, extreme fatigue, dizziness or faintness occurs once pain abates. Patients skin will be ashen, clammy and cold. Increased blood …show more content…
Obtaining a history of the present illness is very important as well as the patients past medical history. Always obtain the patients vital signs including, respirations, blood pressure, pulse rate and take not of the patients’ skin condition. These can contribute greatly to understanding what condition your patient may be in. After you obtain your patients vital signs you will perform any interventions or treatment if necessary. Of course after the intervention you will reassess the patient by covering the primary assessment and vital signs