Congestive Heart Failure

A failing heart can be strengthened with treatment. There are currently three major types:

• Medication - this is the most common form of treatment, usually involving more than one medication

The results of a study reported in the July issue of Chest indicate that continous positive airway pressure (CPAP) used by patients with congestive heart failure for 30 minutes daily "...enhances pulmonary function and consequently exercise tolerance."

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic condition that results when the heart muscle is unable to pump blood as efficiently as is needed. High blood pressure can cause congestive heart failure. Failure of the heart pump can also result from many other causes, such as severe anemia, hyperthyroidism, heart attacks, and arrhythmias of the heart.

The Life Extension Foundation reports that congestive heart failure "... is difficult to diagnose because it often occurs in conjunction with, or as a result of, other forms of heart disease. The best hope for patients with CHF is to catch the disease early, before it has caused permanent enlargement of the heart. The symptoms of CHF include fatigue, shortness of breath, coughing, swelling, and, when severe, bluish extremities."