Pathophysiology: Congestive Heart Failure

1135 Words5 Pages
Running Head: Congestive Heart Failure Kimberly A McCarthy Week 5 Assignment 2 Pathophysiology Congestive Heart Failure September 24, 2014 Running Head: Congestive Heart Failure Congestive Heart Failure Congestive Heart Failure is when the heart is not properly doing its primary function, which is pumping blood efficiently through all four chambers of the heart. The heart is easily recognized as a “pump.” Many people get this confused and assume that Congestive heart failure is when the heart just stops working all together which is false. When the heart is not properly pumping blood, tissues and other body organs are not receiving the amount of blood and oxygen required to properly function. Congestive heart failure will…show more content…
Nearly four million people are currently diagnosed with CHF and 550,000 new cases are determined each year. Over the years more treatment has become available so people can continue to live normal lives, longer lives, and ultimately try to improve the quality of health. Treatment varies from person to person, but for the most part it can be controlled. There are certain steps (tests) that are performed to conclude or diagnose an individual with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), and the causes can also range from several different things. Some of the causes of CHF are weakened heart muscles, damaged heart valves, blocked blood vessels in the heart (which may lead to cardiac arrest), Exposure to alcohol or drug substances, high blood pressure, ongoing untreated arrhythmias, genetic diseases effecting the heart, and there are many other things that could cause CHF, this just lists a few. There are also a few causes that are done because of unhealthy habits such as smoking, obesity and lack of exercise, high sodium intake, excessive alcohol use, and noncompliance with medications and therapies directed by physicians. Those are the causes,…show more content…
Unfortunately the disease is a chronic illness that just ends up getting worse as time progresses. Some people end up with failure so severe that none of the treatments work and surgery or even a heart transplant is their only option. References Congestive Heart Failure Causes, Symptoms, Treatment - Congestive Heart Failure Stages - eMedicineHealth. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/congestive_heart_failure/page5_em.htm Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Treatment - Congestive Heart Failure - HealthCommunities.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.healthcommunities.com/congestive-heart-failure/treatment-chf_jhmwp.shtml Congestive Heart Failure: Types, Causes, & Treatment. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.healthline.com/health/congestive-heart-failure#Diagnosis5 Heart Failure Overview: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved from

More about Pathophysiology: Congestive Heart Failure

Open Document