Congestive heart failure is a
progressive disease that gets worse over time, especially if it remains
untreated. It is often caused by other conditions that weaken the heart, such
as:
·
coronary heart disease
·
faulty heart valves
·
inflammation or damage to the heart muscle
There are four stages
of congestive heart failure (CHF), each with a different outlook. Many other
disorders and lifestyle choices contribute to the development of CHF.
In some cases, life
expectancy and outlook can be positively affected by lifestyle changes,
medications, and surgery.
Life expectancy
A 2016 study estimated that about half of people who develop heart failure live beyond 5 years after being diagnosed.
However, there is no
simple answer for life expectancy rates, as the average life expectancy for
each stage of CHF varies greatly. Personal lifestyle choices may also play a
factor, as well as whether a person has other medical problems.
CHF is not curable,
but early detection and treatment may help improve a person's life expectancy.
Following a treatment plan that includes lifestyle changes may help improve their
quality of life.
Symptoms and stage
When a person has CHF,
their heart has difficulty pumping blood to the other organs in the body. This
problem occurs because the walls of the ventricles, which typically pump the
blood through the body, become too thin and weak, causing the blood stay in the
ventricle, rather than pushing it out.
Blood remaining in the
heart can cause fluid retention because the heart is not pumping enough blood
through the body to push out excess fluids.
CHF has four stages
based on the severity of symptoms. Understanding each stage may help shed light
on a person's life expectancy rates, and explain why they can vary so much.
·
Stage 1 or pre-CHF: People with pre-CHF
may have disorders that affect the heart, or doctors may have noticed a
weakness in their heart that has not yet caused any symptoms.
·
Stage 2: People with stage 2 CHF may have minor
symptoms but are still otherwise healthy. People with stage 2 CHF often have
existing heart complications but lack definitive symptoms of heart failure.
Doctors may recommend that these people reduce their workload and make
lifestyle changes.
·
Stage 3: People with stage 3 CHF may experience
symptoms regularly and may not be able to do their regular tasks, especially if
they have other health conditions.
·
Stage 4 or late-stage CHF: A person with stage
4 CHF may have severe or debilitating symptoms throughout the day, even while
at rest. Late-stage CHF often requires extensive medical and surgical treatment
to manage.
The symptoms of CHF
vary greatly depending on the stage, and whether a person has any other medical
conditions. However, common symptoms include:
swelling in the legs
and feet caused by a buildup of excess fluid
·
bloating
·
shortness of breath
·
fatigue
·
nausea
·
chest pain
Other conditions that
affect the heart can also cause CHF, and the person will probably also be
dealing with the symptoms that these additional conditions create.
Early diagnosis of CHF
may help people manage their symptoms and make preventative lifestyle changes,
which may give them a better long-term outlook
Treatment
Medical treatment for
CHF involves reducing the amount of fluid in the body to ease some of the
strain on the heart and improving the heart's ability to pump blood.
Doctors may prescribe
angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers
(ARBs) as a way to help the heart pump blood more effectively.
In some cases, doctors
may also prescribe beta-blockers to support these efforts and control the heart
rate.
Doctors also commonly
prescribe diuretics for people with CHF, as they may help the body eliminate
excess liquid. Common diuretics include hydrochlorothiazide, bumetanide, and
furosemide.
In the later stages of
heart failure, doctors may recommend surgery to insert a left ventricular
assisted device (LVAD) into the heart. An LVAD is a pump that helps the heart
muscle contract, and it is often a permanent solution. A full heart transplant
may also be an option if the person is considered suitable for the operation.
Lifestyle changes
No matter what stage
of CHF a person is at, or what medical treatment they follow, doctors will
likely recommend making lifestyle changes to minimize the impact of CHF. These
changes may help slow the condition and increase a person's quality of life.
Diet and exercise
Eating a healthful,
varied diet and getting regular exercise is recommended for everyone, but is
especially important for people with CHF.
Doctors often
recommend that people with CHF eliminate excess salt (sodium) from their diet,
as it causes the body to retain fluids. Doctors may also recommend cutting out
alcohol.
Aerobic exercise is
any activity that elevates the heart rate and breathing rate. Activities
include swimming, bicycling, or jogging.
Regular aerobic
exercise may improve heart health, leading to a better quality of life and
perhaps even increasing life expectancy in people with CHF. Doctors can help
individuals make a personalized exercise routine that works for them.
Fluid restriction
People with CHF tend
to retain fluid in the body, so doctors often recommend restricting their fluid
intake to the minimum each day.
Consuming too much
liquid may cancel out the effects of diuretic medicines. While it is essential
to stay hydrated, a doctor will be able to recommend just how much fluid a
person can safely consume a day.
Weight
For someone with CHF,
watching their weight is often less about fat accumulation than it is about
fluid retention.
Doctors will often ask
people to monitor their weight each day to check for any sudden or fast weight
gain, which may be linked to fluid retention.
Monitoring a person's
weight every day can help a doctor prescribe the correct levels of diuretics to
help the body release fluid.
Takeaway
Each person with CHF
will have a different experience with the condition, and life expectancy for
the disease will vary significantly between individuals.
Life expectancy
depends on what stage CHF has reached, as well as what other complications or
health problems the person has. People who have received an early diagnosis may
have a better outlook than those who did not receive a diagnosis until the
later stages.
Many people find that
positive lifestyle changes can significantly improve the symptoms of CHF and
their well-being. Medication helps many people with CHF, and doctors will
sometimes recommend surgery.
Working directly with
a doctor or medical team is crucial to make an individualized treatment plan
and give someone the best possible outlook.
Source : Medicalnewstoday
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