congestive heart failure with edema

Congestive Heart Failure with Edema – Numbers Speak of Criticality!

Congestive heart failure (that is CHF) happens to be a rising health issue all over the globe, and Abu Dhabi, UAE, is no exception to this. As per the Department of Health (United Arab Emirates), heart diseases tend to account for almost thirty percent of all deaths in the region, with cardiac failures being the most prevalent contributors. The grave complication of CHF is edema, that is the fluid retention. This usually impacts the patient’s ankles, legs, & lungs. Congestive heart failure with edema tends to pose unique challenges. This is because the fluid buildup can exacerbate the symptoms of cardiac failures, leading to severe discomfort as well as giving rise to life-threatening complications.

What is Congestive Heart Failure with Edema?

CHF happens to be a condition where the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively tends to be compromised. This results in a buildup of fluids in many parts of the body. Such fluid retention is called edema. When the heart fails to pump blood properly, blood tends to back up in the veins. This causes fluids to leak into the nearby tissues. This usually leads to swollen legs, feet, ankles, & even lungs (pulmonary edema), which makes breathing quite hard.

More on CHF

In CHF with edema, the heart tends to be under strain owing to the excess fluids. This puts more pressure on the already weakened organ. Patients with cardiac failure edema can experience fatigue, shortness of breath, & swelling. This tends to severely impact their daily lives. Edema and heart failure tend to be closely linked, as fluid accumulation is a direct result of the heart’s inability to maintain proper circulation. Heart failure and edema can manifest in 2 main ways:

Peripheral edema: This refers to the swelling in the ankles, legs, feet, & hands.
Pulmonary edema: This refers to the fluid buildup in the lungs, which tends to cause breathing difficulties.

Causes of Congestive Heart Failure with Edema

There can be multiple causes of edema with heart failure, including the ones given below:

Arrhythmias: Irregular heartbeats tend to cause the heart to pump inefficiently, resulting in edema and heart failure.
Valve disorders: Heart valve diseases tend to disrupt the blood flow, resulting in heart failure and edema.
Kidney problems: As the kidneys play a pivotal role in regulating fluid balance, their dysfunction can exacerbate CHF with edema.
Weakened heart muscles: Conditions like coronary artery disease, high BP, & any previous heart attacks can weaken the heart muscle over time. This reduces the heart’s overall efficiency.

Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure with Edema

Congestive heart failure with edema is a clearcut indicator that the heart is no longer able to cope with the body’s demands. If this problem is left untreated, it can result in major complications like difficulty in breathing, organ damage, and in severe cases, even death. Common symptoms of edema with congestive heart failure include the following:

Fatigue & weakness
Persistent coughing or wheezing
Decreased ability to do exercises
Rapid weight gain because of fluid retention
Shortness of breath, specifically while lying down
Swelling in the lower extremities (ankles, legs, & feet)

Treatment of CHF with Edema

LLH Hospital provides a range of treatments for congestive heart failure with edema, which are all aimed at improving heart function & alleviating fluid retention. Some of the key treatment strategies include the ones mentioned here:

Medicines for Fluid Retention & Heart Function: Medicines play a crucial role in managing edema with heart failure. Diuretics (water pills) are most commonly prescribed to reduce excess fluid in the body, while beta-blockers & ACE inhibitors tend to improve heart function & reduce strain. Doctor Hari closely monitors each patient’s response to these medicines to ensure optimal results.
Lifestyle Modifications: Lifestyle changes are vital for managing heart failure and edema. Cardiac surgeons emphasise the role of maintaining a heart-healthy diet, reducing sodium intake, keeping healthy weight, and engaging in moderate physical activity daily to support cardiac health. Such changes help prevent the progression of cardiac failure edema & also enhance overall well-being of the patients.
Surgical Interventions: In cases where medicines & lifestyle modifications aren’t enough, surgical options could be considered. Procedures like CABG (coronary artery bypass grafting), valve repairs, or even heart transplants can be recommended to improve heart function & alleviate congestive heart failure oedema.
Cardiac Rehabilitation: For patients recovering from any heart surgery or managing chronic congestive heart failure edema, cardiac rehabilitation tends to be crucial. LLH Hospital offers comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation programs including nutritional counseling, exercise training, & emotional support to help patients recover and prevent future complications.
Ongoing Monitoring & Follow-Up: Regular follow-up appointments & monitoring tend to be pretty essential for managing heart failure oedema.

Contacting Dr. Arun Hari

If you or a loved one has been experiencing any symptoms of congestive heart failure with edema, seeking expert medical advice immediately is crucial. Dr. Arun Hari & his team at LLH Hospital, Abu Dhabi, are dedicated to providing comprehensive care for patients with CHF with edema. Through a combination of advanced treatments, personalised care, & a multidisciplinary approach, the doctor ascertains that each patient gets the best possible outcome.