Congestive Heart Failure

Etiology:: : Congestive heart failure (CHF), or heart failure, is a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to the body's other organs. This can result from
•narrowed arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle — coronary artery disease
•past heart attack, or myocardial infarction, with scar tissue that interferes with the heart muscle's normal work
•high blood pressure
•heart valve disease due to past rheumatic fever or other causes
•primary disease of the heart muscle itself, called cardiomyopathy.
•heart defects present at birth — congenital heart defects.
•infection of the heart valves and/or heart muscle itself — endocarditis and/or myocarditis
—- Rikki Shockley

Signs/Symptoms:: An early symptom of congestive heart failure is fatigue. While fatigue is a sensitive indicator of possible underlying congestive heart failure, it is obviously a nonspecific symptom that may be caused by many other conditions. The person's ability to exercise may also diminish. Patients may not even sense this decrease and they may subconsciously reduce their activities to accommodate this limitation.
•As the body becomes overloaded with fluid from congestive heart failure, swelling (edema) of the ankles and legs or abdomen may be noticed.
•In addition, fluid may accumulate in the lungs, thereby causing shortness of breath, particularly during exercise and when lying flat. In some instances, patients are awakened at night, gasping for air.
•Some may be unable to sleep unless sitting upright.
•The extra fluid in the body may cause increased urination, particularly at night.
•Accumulation of fluid in the liver and intestines may cause nausea, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite.
-Rikki Shockley

Method of Diagnosis::: Doctors usually suspect heart failure on the basis of symptoms alone. The diagnosis is supported by the results of a physical examination, including a weak, often rapid pulse, reduced blood pressure, abnormal heart sounds and fluid accumulation in the lungs (both heard through a stethoscope), an enlarged heart, swollen neck veins, an enlarged liver, and swelling in the abdomen or legs. A chest x-ray can show an enlarged heart and fluid accumulation in the lungs.
—-Rikki Shockley

Risk Factors:
*Modifiable:
•Restricting salt intake, read all labels.. no more than 2000 mg of salt per day is advised
•Regular Exercise
•Limit total daily fluid of all sources to 2 quarts. - Rikki Shockley

Non-Modifiable:
•anything to do with genetics - Rikki Shockley

Prevention::
•Eat a heart-healthy diet low in salt, saturated fat, and cholesterol
•Quit smoking, if you smoke
•Lose weight, if you are overweight. - Rikki Shockley

**Supplements Commonly Used: Various drugs are used to treat congestive heart failure. They perform different functions. ACE inhibitors and vasodilators expand blood vessels and decrease resistance. This allows blood to flow more easily and makes the heart's work easier or more efficient. Beta blockers can improve how well the heart's left lower chamber (left ventricle) pumps. Digitalis increases the pumping action of the heart, while diuretics help the body eliminate excess salt and water.
——Rikki Shockley

Labs Appropriate to Disease: LDL, HDL, Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, sodium
*Normal Values Range: Total Choleterol:<200; Triglycerides:<150; HDL:>60; LDL:<130; ALbumin:3.5-5.2; Sodium: 135-145..>Qwanta Sparks
*Values in the Disease: Total Cholesterol: <200; LDL:<100; HDL:>40; Triglycerides:<150; LAbs not reliable due to edema…Qwanta Sparks
*Nutritional Significance:
Labs must stay in recommended range to ensure that the risk of developing CHF is limited; If labs increase above range, greater risk of developing CHF will be present…Qwanta Sparks

General Dietary Prescription:Magnesium, Propionyl-L-varnitine, taurine, arginine, coenzyme Q10, potassium, creatine monohydrate, berberine, hawthorne, coleus., whole fruit and vegetable juice…..Qwanta Sparks

**Specific Foods to Include:foods rich in potassium(banana, oranges, cooked greens, canteloupe, prunes, cooked dried beans, sweet potatoes, raisins….Qwanta Sparks

**Specific Foods to Avoid: salty foods(canned foods, ready-to-eat foods, fast food, bacon,)…Qwanta Sparks

Reccomended Prescription Drug Therapy: **Medicines do not cure congestive heart failure but help manage symptoms.1.) ACE inhibitors for blood flow, 2.)Diurectics to stimulate kidneys to remove water and sodium from body, 3.)Beta-blockers, 4.)Vasodilators to lower blood pressure, 5.)ARBs(angiotensin II receptor blockers), 6.) anticoagulants….Diuretics:Lasix, Bumex, Metolazone, Hydrochlorothiazide/ Vasodilators: Lisinopril, Captopril, Enalapril, Hydralazine/ Beta Blockers: bisoprolol, metoprolol, carvedilol/Qwanta Sparks****

Potential Food and Drug Interactions:Interactions may occur for a specific drug if used improperly and if wrong drug is used…Qwanta Sparks

General Nutrition Education Objectives or Goals: Eat less salt, exercise under the direction of your doctor, lose weight if overweight, stop smoking, avoid overuse of alcohol, control your high blood pressure, control diabetes, manage stress, 2gm sodium is gold standard…Qwanta Sparks

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