Heart Failure (CHF)
Heart failure (congestive heart failure or CHF) can occur at any age, however, it is the leading cause of hospitalization among people 65 or older. CHF can be caused by high blood pressure, diabetes, a previous heart attack or hereditary heart defect, an infection of or damage to the heart muscle, or coronary artery disease (CAD), heart valve disease or even kidney disease. All members of Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic have robust education and treatment programs for heart failure.
What is heart failure?
Heart Failure is a condition that develops when the heart’s muscle becomes weakened after it is injured from something like a heart attack or blood pressure, and loses its ability to pump enough blood to supply the body’s needs. In CHF, blood backs up in arteries and veins due to the weak pumping action, causing fluid to seep into tissue around the lungs and throughout the body. Also, the lack of normal blood supply can affect the function of other organs.
What are the warning signs and symptoms of heart failure?
There is an acronym to help you remember the symptoms of heart failure: FACES
- F for fatigue
- A for activities limited
- C for chest congestion
- E for edema or ankle swelling
- S for shortness of breath
How is heart failure diagnosed?
- Blood test to differentiate heart failure from other problems
- Chest X-ray
- Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) and echocardiogram reveals any heart enlargement or irregular heartbeat, fluid in and around the lungs or if there have been previous, undetected heart attacks.
- Stress echocardiogram—with the patient walking a treadmill or riding a stationary bike
- Chemical stress echocardiogram—in which the heart is stressed by drugs when a patient cannot walk or ride—can be performed to determine the cause of the heart muscle weakness.
What are the treatment options for heart failure?
Medication and lifestyle changes can help patients lead close to normal lives. Some common drugs used are heart medications to control blood pressure, slow the heart rate and help it pump more blood along with diuretics (water pills) to reduce fluid buildup. Such changes in diet as decreasing salt, fat and dairy intake along with an overall reduction in fluid intake might also be recommended. Treatment may also include surgery or pacemakers.
Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital is collaborating with Penn Medicine to provide easier access to specialized expertise and advanced therapies for CHF patients that standard therapies are not working for.