Congestive heart failure — causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com
Tuesday, February 20, 2018 by Michelle Simmons
http://www.naturalpedia.com/congestive-heart-failure-causes-side-effects-and-treatments-at-naturalpedia-com.html
Congestive heart failure is a progressing condition wherein the heart muscle is weakened and cannot pump as well as it normally should be able to. In this condition, the ventricles, which are the main pumping chambers of the heart become enlarged or thicker, and either cannot contract or cannot relax as well as they normally do. In turn, this causes fluid retention, especially in the lungs, legs, and abdomen.
The primary causes of congestive heart failure are coronary heart disease, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, and other heart diseases. Congestive heart failure is also known as congestive cardiac failure.
Known side effects of congestive heart failure
The most common side effects of congestive heart failure include the following:
- Accumulation of fluid in the lower leg, which causes swelling
- Accumulation of fluid in the lungs, which causes shortness of breath
- Fatigue and weakness
- Swelling in the lower parts of the body
- Wheezing, or in extreme cases the coughing up of pinkish phlegm
- Dizziness
- Rapid weight gain because of fluid retention
- Loss of appetite
- Need to urinate at night
- Waking up after a few hours of sleep because of breath shortness
Body systems harmed by congestive heart failure
The main body system that is harmed by congestive heart failure is the cardiovascular system as it particularly affects the heart. Other body systems affected by the disease include the respiratory and muscular systems.
List of foods or nutrients that prevent congestive heart failure
According to an entry published on the website GreenMedInfo.com, the foods and nutrients that can help prevent or manage congestive heart failure include omega-3 fatty acids which can be found in fish; vitamin D; and magnesium. Moreover, several natural compounds may help unclog the arteries, such as pomegranate, arginine, garlic, and vitamin B complex.
Treatments, management plans for congestive heart failure
Congestive heart failure cannot be cured for most people. However, there are treatments that can help patients manage the disease. The primary treatments include healthy lifestyle changes, medication, devices implanted in the chest to control the heart rhythm, such as pacemakers, and surgeries, such as heart valve surgery, a coronary angioplasty or bypass, left ventricular assist devices, and heart transplant.
Where to learn more
- Magnesium crucial to prevent congestive heart failure
- Moderate exercise may delay congestive heart failure, CU-Boulder study suggests (press release)
- Soft Drinks Found to Increase Congestive Heart Failure in Men
- CoQ10 improves hypertension and can prevent congestive heart failure
- 11 Amazing Health Benefits of Berberine
Summary
Congestive heart failure is a condition wherein the heart cannot pump blood and cannot contract or relax properly.
Congestive heart failure causes fluid retention, swelling, shortness of breath, fatigue and weakness, wheezing, dizziness, rapid weight gain, loss of appetite, and frequent need to urinate.
Congestive heart failure harms the cardiovascular, respiratory, and muscular systems.
The foods and nutrients that can help prevent or manage congestive heart failure are omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, magnesium, pomegranate, arginine, garlic, and B vitamins.
Congestive heart failure can be managed through healthy lifestyle changes, medication, devices implanted in the chest, and surgeries.
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