Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart is overburdened and therefore unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's requirements. Symptoms often include shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat and chest congestion accompanied by mild to severe edema. For a more detailed description of this condition and its effects upon the afflicted individual please refer to last week's article.
In part one of this series, I mentioned that CHF can occur when the heart's efficiency is compromised by the lesions and/or underlying structural abnormalities that characterize many forms of congenital heart disease. However, there are other factors that may contribute to the development of this problem. The American Heart Association links the following conditions with CHF:
Cornonary artery disease: Coronary artery disease occurs when cholesterol and fatty deposits build-up in the heart's arteries. This constricts the blood flow through these channels, leaving the heart muscle with less blood than it requires to function normally. This damages the muscle, causing the remaining healthy tissue to work harder. When the problem becomes very severe a heart-attack may ensue.
Past heart attacks: A heart attack occurs when the arteries that channel blood to the heart get blocked. The resulting lack of vital oxygen and nutrients damages the heart muscle. Remaining healthy tissue must work harder to compensate for the tissue that has "died".
High blood pressure: Hypertension occurs when the pressure in the blood vessels is too high. The heart must therefore work harder to maintain adequate circulation. Over time, this can weaken and enlarge the heart.
Abnormal Heart Valves: Sometimes the heart's valves are unable to close or open completely during each contraction. This can be the result of a congentinal malformation or previous infection (such as endocarditis) that has damaged the valvular structure. When this occurs, the heart must pump harder to maintain proper circulation, which can lead to CHF.
Heart muscle inflammation or disease (cardiomyopathy): Any damage to the heart's muscular tissue can result congestive heart failure, due to the added strain imposed by a need to compensate for functionally efficient muscle tissue that is lacking.
Lung disease:
