Congestive Heart Failure - what it is, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations

When the heart can't pump enough blood to the body's other organs
the heart keeps working but not as efficiently as it should. "Heart failure" is the result, and people become short of breath and tired.

Blood flow out of the heart slows, so blood returning to the heart backs up, causing congestion and swelling (edema) in the tissues. Frequently, there is swelling in the legs and ankles. Fluid can also collect in the lungs and interfere with breathing, causing shortness of breath, especially when a person is lying down.

Infection, heart defects, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and a history of a past heart attack increase the risk of congestive heart failure.

The American Stroke Association gives recommendations for treatment and links to the Cardiology Patient Page in Circulation, Journal of the American Heart Association.