How To Identify Congestion Symptoms Article

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How to Identify Congestion Symptoms

Congestive heart failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood efficiently to all tissues. Congestive heart failure is the most common cause of hospitalization for people over 65 years of age.

Author: Mital John

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Congestive heart failure is easily confused with breathing difficulties, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, emphysema, and asthma.

This condition can impact the left side of the heart which is responsible for pumping blood into the body; the right side of the heart which pumps blood into the lungs; or in some instances both sides. Usually the disease begin in the left side of the heart first, and then over times advances to the right side. Left sided congestive heart disease symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, labored breathing, and sometimes lung congestion. If the disease is concentrated in the right side fluid buildup in the veins and swelling in the feet and legs is often seen.

Causes of Congestive Heart Disease

Congestive heart disease has many causes. They include, but are not limited to, the following causes:

• Weakening of the heart muscle due to viral infections. The weakness may also be caused by toxins such as alcohol abuse.
• Weakening of the heart muscle by coronary artery disease that has led to heart attacks.
• Weakening of the heart muscle by heart valve disease that involves large amounts of blood leakage.
• Heart muscle stiffness caused by a blocked heart valve.
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure, also called hypertension.
• High levels of the thyroid hormone.
• Excessive use of amphetamines ("speed")

Symptoms of Congestive Heart Disease

Either side of the heart muscle may weaken and cause congestive heart disease. The symptoms of congestive heart disease depend on the side of the heart that is affected. They can include these:

• Asthma that can be attributed to the heart
• Blood pooling in the body's overall circulation
• Blood pooling in the liver's circulation
• Enlargement of the heart
• Shortness of breath
• Skin color that appears bluish or dusky
• swelling of the body, especially the extremities

Congestive Heart Failure Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis may commence with the observation of the earlier mentioned signs and should be confirmed by way of an evaluation by a medical practitioner. The evaluation may involve a physical examination, ECG, chest x-rays, Heart CT scan, MRI of the heart, echocardiogram, angiography (x-ray of the heart and blood vessels using a radiopaque contrast medium), heart catheterization, nuclear heart scan, and blood or urine analysis.

A physician will keep track of your disorder carefully with repeated follow-up visits (i.e. every 3 to 6 months). You could also keep track of your issue closely and weigh yourself regularly. Excess weight gain can indicate that your body is retaining fluid.

Home care comes with taking your medications as directed, limiting salt intake, quitting smoking, remaining physically active under your doctor's direction, controlling or losing weight, receiving plenty of rest with your feet elevated.

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How to Identify Congestion Symptoms