Heart failure, also sometimes referred to as congestive heart failure, happens when blood isn’t pumped as well as it should be by the heart muscle. This can be caused by certain conditions that gradually cause your heart to be too stiff or weak to pump blood efficiently, such as high blood pressure or coronary artery disease, which is narrowed arteries of the heart. Some conditions that can cause heart failure can be reversed, while other conditions are not reversible. Heart failure signs and symptoms can show improvement with treatment though, and help individuals to live longer, healthier lives. With the help of their doctor and other health care professionals, individuals at risk of heart failure or other conditions that could lead to heart failure can help prevent it and control conditions through lifestyle changes. Simple steps such as exercising, managing stress, losing weight, and reducing the sodium in your diet can help control conditions such as coronary artery disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity that can lead to heart failure if left untreated.

The first step in diagnosing congestive heart failure is to book an appointment with your primary care doctor to get a physical exam done. Your doctor will want your complete medical history, including your family medical history, and a rundown of the symptoms you are feeling, how long you’ve had them if they’ve gotten worse and what tasks can make them better or worse. The doctor will check for any risk factors you may have such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or coronary artery disease. A check of your lungs and heartbeat will be completed with the use of a stethoscope and the doctor will check your legs and abdomen for fluid buildup. To ensure an accurate diagnosis and determine the best course of treatment, your doctor will likely order some additional tests such as bloodwork, chest x-rays, an electrocardiogram, an echocardiogram, stress test, cardio CT scan, MRI, coronary angiogram, or myocardial biopsy depending on the symptoms you are experiencing and the availability of such tests in your area. Each test works differently to collect data from your body, allowing the doctor to see what is going on inside your body, particularly your heart.

Heart failure can manifest itself in two different forms – acute, where the condition comes on suddenly, or chronic, where signs and symptoms are ongoing. It’s important to understand the signs and symptoms of heart failure to ensure that proper medical care is being sought out as early as possible to help prevent serious or fatal consequences. Signs and symptoms of heart failure can include fatigue and weakness, shortness of breath when you lie down or exert yourself, swelling in your feet, ankles, and legs, irregular or rapid heartbeat, reduced ability to exercise, persistent cough or wheezing that brings up white or blood-tinged phlegm, sudden severe shortness of breath, rapid weight gain from fluid retention and chest pain, among several other symptoms. If you feel that you are experiencing symptoms or signs of heart failure, it is important to get checked out by your doctor. You should also contact your doctor if you have already been diagnosed with heart failure and your symptoms suddenly become worse or new signs or symptoms develop. This could mean your condition is getting worse or it isn’t responding to your current treatment. This can also be the case if you quickly gain 5 pounds, or 2.3kg, or more in as little as a few days. Individuals should seek immediate emergency treatment if they are experiencing fainting or severe weakness, chest pain, sudden, severe shortness of breath that is accompanied by coughing up pink, foamy mucus, or irregular or rapid heartbeat in addition to shortness of breath, fainting, or chest pain. These could be symptoms of heart failure or another serious condition that requires emergency treatment. Call 911 or get yourself to an emergency room immediately where doctors will try to stabilize you and determine the cause for your symptoms. Do not try to self-diagnose at this point.

The doctors at Broadway Family Clinic provide treatment to patients who are concerned about their heart health. They will be able to provide a proper diagnosis of a potential heart condition, including congestive heart failure, and get you to put on a proper treatment plan to help lower your risk.

Book an appointment online or give us a call to find out more information about how we can help you. We serve patients from Pearland TX, Shadow Creek Ranch TX, Southern Trail TX, Pomona TX, Southlake TX, Sienna Plantation TX, Fresno TX, Manvel TX and Rosharon TX.