Congestive Cardiac Failure What is Congestive Cardiac Failure? This is a condition where the heart’s pumping power is weaker than normal, so it is unable to pump enough nutrients and oxygen to all parts of the body. To make up for this, the heart gets thicker or stiffer, making the heart muscle walls weaker and not pump effectively over time. The kidneys also start to retain water and salt. If water builds up in your legs, arms, lungs or other organs, the body becomes overloaded. This results in congestive cardiac failure (CCF).
What causes it? Several conditions can damage the heart muscle, such as: • Coronary artery disease • Heart attack • Hypertension • Congenital heart defect • Irregular heartbeat What are the signs? • Shortness of breath while exercising or at rest • Constant coughing • Swelling in your legs, ankles or feet • Feeling tired easily • Irregular heartbeat • Poor tolerance to activity, becoming tired and breathless easily • Urinating more at night • Sudden weight gain • Chest pain or discomfort
How can I prevent it from getting worse? Changing your lifestyle can help to slow down the worsening of your heart condition and improve your overall health. Quit Smoking Smoking raises blood pressure and reduces oxygen in your blood. This makes your heart pump faster. Eat a healthy diet and limit alcohol intake Avoid salty foods as these will cause your body to retain fluid and increases blood pressure. Do not cook with salt or add salt to food. Use herbs, spices, and lemon juice instead. Limit your alcohol intake. Manage your stress It is important to keep calm to decrease the workload of your heart. Take 15 to 20 minutes a day to sit quietly, breathe deeply and think of a peaceful scene.
What else can I do? Take your medications as prescribed Medications improve your heart’s ability to pump blood, decrease stress, slow down the progression of heart failure and prevent fluid retention. Control your fluid intake Limiting the fluid intake will help decrease the workload of your heart. Your doctor will advise you on how much liquid to drink daily. Check your weight daily Weigh yourself in the morning, preferably before breakfast and after urinating. Contact your doctor if there is a sudden weight gain or weight loss.
Yishun Health is a network of medical institutions and health facilities of the National Healthcare Group. Admiralty Medical Centre • (65) 6807 8000 • www.admiraltymedicalcentre.com.sg Khoo Teck Puat Hospital • (65) 6555 8000 • www.ktph.com.sg Yishun Community Hospital • (65) 6807 8800 • www.yishuncommunityhospital.com.sg The information is correct at the time of printing and subject to revision without further notice.
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