Heart Failure Heart failure, otherwise known as, congestive heart failure (CHF) occurs when the heart is not capable of effectively pumping blood throughout the body. Patients may experience unexplained weight gain, swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, and difficulty breathing due to fluid build-up into the body’s tissues (Funk & Wagnalls, 2016).
Risk factors The most common risk factors of heart failure include narrowed arteries (atherosclerosis) high blood pressure, heart disease, infection of the heart, and congenital heart defects (Funk & Wagnalls, 2016). Patients at high risk for heart failure may take risks to reduce the risk. Also, patients with diabetes and coronary heart disease are at high risk (NIHLBI, 2015).
Possible consequences
Risk factors The most common risk factors of heart failure include narrowed arteries (atherosclerosis) high blood pressure, heart disease, infection of the heart, and congenital heart defects (Funk & Wagnalls, 2016). Patients at high risk for heart failure may take risks to reduce the risk. Also, patients with diabetes and coronary heart disease are at high risk (NIHLBI, 2015).
Possible consequences