Monday, August 31, 2020

Congestive heart failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a complex clinical syndrome that can result from any functional or structural cardiac disorder that impairs the ventricle’s ability to fill with or eject blood.

Heart failure symptoms usually develop over time as the heart becomes weaker and less able to pump the blood that your body needs. Heart failure usually results in an enlarged heart (left ventricle).

Several studies have found that CHF is associated with a 2-year mortality rate of approximately 45–50%, which approaches that of many malignancies.

The syndrome of CHF arises as a consequence of an abnormality in cardiac structure, function, rhythm, or conduction. The most common cause of heart failure is coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD occurs when arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become narrowed by buildups of fatty deposits called plaque.

Patients usually present with symptoms of dyspnea, decreased exercise tolerance and fluid retention, characterized by pulmonary and peripheral edema.
Congestive heart failure

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