Congestive Heart Failure

Q. What is congestive heart failure?

A. Congestive heart failure is a common form of heart failure that happens when a person retains an excessive amount of water, often leading to swelling of the legs and ankles and congestion in the lungs. Nearly five million Americans are living with heart failure, and 550,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.

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Q. How do I know if I’m at risk for congestive heart failure?

A. Congestive heart failure affects people of all ages, from children to young adults, to the middle-aged to senior citizens. However, it’s more common among older people, especially those who smoke, are overweight, eat foods high in fat and cholesterol and don’t exercise. If someone experiences heart failure, chances are they have (or had) coronary artery disease, past heart attacks, high blood pressure, abnormal heart valves, heart muscle disease or swelling, heart defects present at birth, severe lung disease, diabetes, severe anemia, hyperthyroidism and abnormal heart rhythm.

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Q. What can I do to prevent congestive heart failure?

A. Congestive heart failure is typically due to a weakening of the heart over a long period of time. To help prevent heart failure, you should takes steps to prevent the diseases and conditions that cause it, like coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Maintaining a healthy diet low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium, maintaining an ideal weight, exercising regularly and maintaining healthy blood pressure levels can help reduce your chances of developing congestive heart failure. In addition, your doctor may also prescribe medications to help lower your cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

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Q. For more information about congestive heart failure, where should I go?

A. You can check the American Heart Association or Mayo Clinic Online.

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