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Congestive heart failure (CHF), also called congestive cardiac failure (CCF) or just heart failure, is a condition that can result from any structural or functional cardiac disorder that impairs the ability of the heart to fill with or pump a sufficient amount of blood throughout the body. It is not to be confused with “cessation [...]
The most common signs and symptoms are:
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Feeling tired
Swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, and sometimes the abdomen
Heart failure is caused by other diseases or conditions that damage or overwork the heart muscle. Over time, the heart muscle weakens and is not able to pump blood as well as it should.
There is not a specific test to determine if you have heart failure. A clinical diagnosis of heart failure is usually made when symptoms appear. The symptoms—shortness of breath, tiredness, and fluid buildup—are common in other conditions.
Heart failure can happen to anyone, but it’s more common in:
People 65 years of age and older
African Americans
The goals of treatment are to:
1. Treat the underlying cause of your heart failure
2. Improve your symptoms and quality of life
3. Stop your heart failure from getting worse
4. Prolong your life span
