Cause Of Congestive Heart Failure

In the U.S. alone, there’re approximately 5.7 million Americans who are affected by congestive heart failure and about 550,000 new cases each year . A common misconception among Americans, is that cardiac arrest and heart failure are the same – not exactly. Both conditions can be life-threatening, but heart failure refers to the incapability of the heart to circulate blood throughout the body to meet the body’s needs. Due to the inadequate blood circulation, it results the leaking of fluid from the capillaries and is where the “congestive” part of CHF comes from. While as cardiac arrest means the heart has suddenly stopped functioning. Congestive heart failure can affect both adults and children, but mainly impacts men and women at the age …show more content…
Pre-existing conditions include: hypertension, or high blood pressure, heart attacks, coronary artery disease, disorders of the heart valves, along with other factors like thyroid disease, diabetes, and even obesity that may lead to the development of congestive heart failure. Hypertension and coronary artery disease are the two most common causes of causes. The reason behind high blood pressure leading to congestive heart failure is due to the muscles in the heart being overworked and the walls of the heart start thickening and stiffening. After that occurs the heart starts to become unable to pump blood effectively to and from the body. In the case of coronary heart disease, it directly affects the heart where the coronary arteries experience atherosclerosis which reduces the blood flow to the heart. In a result, the heart’s pumping ability is greatly reduced. Concerning other medical conditions like obesity, diabetes, and thyroid disease, if not cared or controlled for properly, will contribute to congestive heart …show more content…
The exam will include observing the patient during rest, if SOB is observed when walking to the exam room, and a heart exam. During the examination of the lungs, the provider will percuss the chest to discover any fluid build-up which is directly related to CHF. After that part of the exam, the healthcare professional with start auscultating for gallops, murmurs, or rubs in the heart. Gallops are abnormal beats related to heart failure, while murmurs are directly related to heart valve diseases. Rubs are abnormal noises by the rubbing of the pericardium and the fibrous sac surrounding the heart due to an inflammation or enlargement of the heart. Diagnostic testing will be needed to confirm their findings of abnormalities present in the heart. Much like an electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, and most likely an echocardiogram. An electrocardiogram, or EKG/ECG, will assess heart rate, and rhythm, while the chest x-ray looks at the size of the heart and affirms the presence of fluid. The most recommended test in diagnosing CHF would be an echocardiography that assess the anatomy and function of the heart. An echocardiography also evaluates blood flow, heart valves, cardiac muscles, and measures the ejection fraction . Prognosis regarding those individuals