Congestive Heart Disease

Heart Disease Risk Factor
Can We Control All the Heart Disease Risk Factors?

The risk or chances of something negative .....

Recognizing Congestive Heart Disease

It can be argued that the most important organ of the body is the heart because it is a muscle that pumps blood to all parts of the body. Within the blood stream are the essentials nutrients required by each part of the body including the pumping of blood by the heart to nourish the heart.

Each year hundreds of thousands of people die from the number one cause of death which is heart disease. Heart disease encompasses a broad category of heart related illnesses. These illnesses range from coronary heart disease to congenital heart disease to high blood pressure.

Another disease of the heart is congestive heart disease. To recognize congestive heart disease it is important to know what this disease is, the symptoms and the causes.

Defined

Congestive heart disease is the progressive weakening of the heart' s ability to function as the muscle that pumps and circulates the blood supply to all parts of the body. Congestive heart disease can be simply defined as the heart slowing down rather than stopping.

Heart Disease
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Coronary artery diseases or CAD is the medical term given to heart disease .....

This slowing down of the circulatory process system is demonstrated as the failing heart pumps the needed blood supply through the body at a much slower rate. As this process continues the pressure within the heart escalates. This results in the inability of the heart to provide the needed oxygen and other needed elements to maintain the health of the body. This increased pressure within the heart is temporary, but eventually the cardiac walls lose their integrity and their ability to act as a pump.

Often, during the progression of congestive heart disease, there is a domino affect. This affect is seen as the kidneys begin to decrease their removal of water and salt. This buildup of fluid is generally pools in the extremities, lungs and other organs of the body. This resulting congestion, clogging of fluids, gives meaning to the condition known as congestive heart disease.

Symptoms

The intensity of the symptoms of congestive heart disease is a reflection of the severity of the condition of the individual. Those symptoms generally reflect the condition of the heart and associated organs resulting from the heart' s weakening state.

Specifically, because of the congestion in the lungs, there may be a gasping for air. This shortness of breath may be demonstrated when exercising or even when at rest. Additionally, there may be an associated dry cough or wheezing sound.

Sign Of Heart Disease
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Congestive heart disease also affects the kidney' s ability to function properly. This adverse response results in the body retaining water which in turn results in the accumulation of water in the lower legs and ankles. Also, as a result of the heart' s weakened state, less blood is supplied to the muscles of the body and its major organs. This in turn results in the feeling of being tired.

Another symptom of congestive heart disease is in the heart' s response to its condition. In an effort to compensate for its weakened state, the heart begins to pump faster to provide the needed blood supply for the body.

Causes

There are many causes that bring about the condition of congestive heart disease. Some of these causes include coronary artery disease. The coronary arteries are the major arteries that supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart. Blockages, buildup of plaque and fat deposits, of these arteries may cause a heart attack. This heart attack may cause permanent damage to the heart muscle which results in the inability of the heart to perform optimally. This weakened state may lead to congestive heart disease.

Other contributing factors to congestive heart disease may be in damage done to the heart from other sources. These sources may include chemical abuse such as the misuse of alcohol or drugs. Additionally, the individual' s heart may have been damaged due to a serious infection.

One other condition that may lead to congestive heart disease is hypertension. Hypertension is an increase in blood pressure which causes the heart to work harder, therefore weakening its ability to perform over time.

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