Congestive heart failure a serious condition
Former New York Mayor, Ed Koch died last week of congestive heart failure. Although I know a little about his term in office, I realized I know very little about the condition that he died from and that sent me scurrying to my favorite resource, the Internet.
According the Centers for Disease Control, about 5.7 million Americans have heart failure and half of them will die within five years of diagnosis. Something to take seriously? You bet. CHF affects people of all ages from children to the elderly and equally between males and females.
“Heart failure means your heart can’t pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs,” the Mayo Clinic website reads. “Over time, conditions such as narrowed arteries in your heart (coronary artery disease) or high blood pressure gradually leave your heart too weak or stiff to fill and pump efficiently.”
Like all conditions, the best way to prevent heart failure is to control the risks and in the case of CHF they’re the usual suspects of weight, high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes.
Heart failure can be chronic (ongoing) or acute (occurs suddenly). The symptoms are similar with a couple of differences. Chronic symptoms include shortness of breath, both while exercising and at rest; fatigue and weakness; swelling in the legs, ankles or feet; persistent cough, with white or pink-tinged phlegm; abdominal swelling, sudden weight gain from fluid retention; lack of appetite and nausea, and difficulty concentrating or disorientation.
Acute heart failure has those symptoms but worse and they come on suddenly. They’ll also include sudden fluid buildup, heart palpitations, severe shortness of breath and coughing up pink, foamy mucus. You may also experience chest pains.
Call your primary healthcare provider immediately if you are feeling any of these symptoms and if they aren’t available call 911. Although your symptoms may not be CHF, it’s not a good idea to play the waiting game here. This isn’t the time to self-diagnose.
“Heart failure is a chronic disease needing lifelong management,” the website continues. “However, with treatment, signs and symptoms of heart failure can improve and the heart sometimes becomes stronger.
“Treatment can help you live longer and reduce your chance of dying suddenly. Doctors sometimes can correct heart failure by treating the underlying cause. For example, repairing a heart valve or controlling a fast heart rhythm may reverse heart failure. But for most people, the treatment of heart failure involves a balance of the right medications, and in some cases, devices that help the heart beat and contract properly.”
If you are diagnosed with CHF you’ll find that your medico is your best partner in your care. Be sure to ask a lot of questions and make sure you understand the answers. Be sure to keep track of your medications and take the list with you wherever you go.
You’ll probably be advised to avoid over-the-counter meds such as anti-inflammatory drugs, cold medications and diet pills. Some dietary supplements can interact and interfere with your heart meds and could actually make you worse, so be sure to ask before taking them.
Keep track of your weight. A sudden increase in weight can mean you’re retaining fluids. Keep track of your blood pressure. Buy yourself a home monitoring device and use it.
And, probably the best advice is be honest with your physician about whether you’re following recommendations regarding your lifestyle, your diet and taking your medicines. Remember, you’re collaborators and there are strategies that can help you stay the course and stay around.
Kathy Hubbard is a trustee on Bonner General Hospital Foundation Board. She can be reached at 264-4029 or at kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com.