CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE (CHF)
It was a great shock to hear of the death of George Carlin - a comedic icon. Many of us remember when he was the first guest host on Saturday Night Live, a must-see show for college students. Carlin, who seemed ageless, was 71 and died of congestive heart failure (CHF) this week after a hospital admission. Let’s look a little more closely at this fairly common cardiology problem.
What is congestive heart failure (CHF)? CHF occurs when the heart is unable to fill with blood or pump enough blood through the body. CHF is caused by a variety of health problems including heart attack, high blood pressure, or blood vessel damage such as hardening of the arteries. Other factors that can lead to CHF are hereditary diseases, infections, drug abuse, and alcoholism.
What are the symptoms? The hallmark signs of CHF include shortness of breath, cough, weakness, and fluid build up. Most people with CHF arrive at the Emergency Department acutely short of breath. While most people suffering from CHF awaken with a sudden onset of symptoms requiring immediate treatment, other patients may experience a gradual shortness of breath that may progress to respiratory failure. It is important to see a physician if you are experiencing shortness of breath.
What is the treatment? Severe cases of CHF must be treated at the Emergency Department. A patient with severe CHF requires immediate attention and will be administered supplemental oxygen, nitroglycerin, and diuretics. The latter two medications open the blood vessels and help remove fluids in an expedient fashion. After intervention and stabilization, the patient must be closely monitored and is usually admitted to the hospital while the potential causes for the onset of CHF are assessed. Most likely the CHF patient will be referred to a cardiologist who specializes in the treatment of CHF.
For those diagnosed with CHF, compliance with physician recommendations is essential. Taking the prescribed medications as well as following a recommended diet will improve chances for survival and allow the patient to maintain an active lifestyle.
