The heart performs in the body the role of a kind of pump, which constantly pumps blood. In the event of a weakening of his muscles, the blood flow slows down and stagnant heart failure develops. This disease is typical, mainly for the elderly and is usually associated with other cardiac disorders.
Chronic congestive heart failure - causes
The vast majority of people with the diagnosis are congenital predisposition - heart disease. It manifests itself in the form of uneven (too fast or, conversely, slow) frequency of organ contractions. Over time, this significantly weakens the heart muscle and leads to insufficiency.
In addition, among the main causes of the disease are:
- myocardial infarction;
- hypertension;
- myocarditis ;
- chronic lung diseases;
- blockage and stagnation in the vessels of the circulatory system.
Congestive heart failure - symptoms
Characteristic signs of the ailment in question:
- weakness in the body;
- cardiopalmus;
- dyspnea;
- feeling of heaviness in the zone of the right hypochondrium;
- cough;
- attacks of cardiac asthma ;
- swelling of the legs, lumbar region;
- an increase in the abdomen in the volume (as a result of the accumulation of fluid in the tissues).
How to identify heart failure?
Diagnosis of the disease is to assess the above symptoms. Criteria are classified into large and small species.
The first group includes the magnitude of venous pressure, blood flow velocity, the presence of dyspnea and wheezing in the lungs, swelling.
In the second group are such indicators as orthopnea, cough at night, sinus tachycardia, an increase in liver size, a decrease in lung volume by at least a third.
Congestive heart failure - treatment
Disease therapy consists of taking medications and performing general doctor's recommendations.
Medicines are prescribed to enhance blood flow and the functional work of the heart, they are called glycosides. In addition, to eliminate puffiness, diuretics and natural diuretics are used, for example, herbal preparations and phyto-tea. In addition, to prevent the loss of a significant part of potassium in the urine, drugs that prevent the removal of salts from the body (Veroshpiron) are used.
Non-pharmacological measures include:
- weight control;
- gradual increase in physical activity;
- decrease in the amount of salt consumed.