Congestive heart failure comes with a variety to physical symptoms which can act as a checklist for diagnosing the disorder. They include-
Tiredness: One of the early signs of congestive heart failure is the complaint of fatigue. They patient may feel tired quite easily and may not be able to carry any kind of activity demanding exertion.
Swelling and Shortness of Breath: Fluid retention occurs due to the inability of the heart to pump blood properly in congestive heart disease. The fluid so accumulated leads to swelling of hands, legs and abdomen. Fluid retention can lead to shortness of breath due to accumulation of it in the lungs.
Weight Gain: Due to the fluid retention patient may gain a lot of weight in a very small duration of time. When this happens, it has to be reported to the doctor as soon as possible.
Frequent Urination: Patients with congestive heart failure may have an increased need to urinate frequently. Patients may also complain of abdominal pain which occurs due to water accumulation in the abdomen and intestines.
Is Congestive Heart Failure Terminal?
Congestive heart failure is a progressive disorder which is characterized by the inability of the heart to pump the blood efficiently to all parts of the body. Congestive heart failure is a chronic and serious problem requiring medical attention. This disease is not terminal if proper treatment procedures are followed at the right time.
Congestive heart failure is progressive in nature and is divided broadly into four major stages. They include-
Stage A- The patient has a risk of developing the disease due to a lot of factors. It may be because they underlying condition the patient has may make way for the congestive heart disease to creep in. Having a family history of the disorder can be a risk factor for a patient to have the disease. Certain lifestyles can also make the patient susceptible to congestive heart failure.
Stage B- The patient is seen to develop a structural disorder. However, the patient may not have any symptoms of the same. Structural disorders may include instance of an heart attack, a valve disease or even heart fibrosis.
Stage C- In this stage the symptoms start to become vivid and patients cannot carry out much activities due to fatigue and shortness of breath.
Stage D- This is the last stage of the disease where the patient may not be able to carry out any activity properly. He may be in the need of frequent hospitalization. The doctor may ask the patient to have a heart transplant surgery. Other forms of special treatment like entropic infusions may be recommended.
What Symptoms Are Often Visible In The End Stage Of The Congestive Heart Failure?
The symptoms of congestive heart failure in the last stage may make the patient quite weak. Patient’s level of consciousness may be clouded at times. This occurs due to the variable level of sodium in the blood. There may be extreme shortness of breath and fatigue. Patients may not feel to eat anything. The body may swell due to excessive fluid accumulation. The patient may have heart palpitations.
Conclusion
If the patient is at the initial stages of the disease, congestive heart failure can be treated with proper medication and adopting a good lifestyle habit. The advanced stages of the disease may require surgeries. It is important to visit a doctor from the very beginning because early treatments are always beneficial. Lifestyle changes may reduce the progression to a great extent and reduce the occurrence of the symptoms.
Also Read:
- What Are The Five Early Signs Of Congestive Heart Failure?
- Are Cardiomyopathy And Congestive Heart Failure The Same Thing?
- What Not To Eat With Congestive Heart Failure?
- How Long Can A Person Live With Congestive Heart Failure?
- Is Congestive Heart Failure Reversible?
- Is Congestive Heart Failure The Same As Heart Attack?
