Having heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure or CHF, doesn't mean that your heart has stopped. It simply means that your heart doesn't work as well as it should.
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart continues to work but not well enough to meet your body's needs. Check out these three important things you should know if you’ve been diagnosed with heart failure.
1. Because your heart can't pump well, your body tries to make up for it. To do this:
- Your body may hold on to salt and water, which increases the volume of blood in your bloodstream.
- You may feel a faster heartbeat.
- If untreated over time, your heart may grow in size or become larger (cardiomegaly).
2. When your heart doesn’t pump well, it may cause extra fluid to build up in your body.
- The extra fluid backs up into your legs, lungs and other organs.
- Fluid buildup around your lungs also may be called congestion, which is why the disease is sometimes called congestive heart failure.
3. There are two types of conditions that lead to your heart not pumping optimally.
- Systolic heart failure occurs when your heart doesn’t pump normally and can’t keep up with your body's needs.
- Diastolic heart failure occurs when your heart pumps normally but has become so stiff or thick it can’t hold as much blood as a healthy heart would. With less blood being pumped, it can’t keep up with your body's needs.
Heart failure can make it more difficult to do things that may have been easy for you to do in the past, but with careful lifestyle changes and medical intervention, it’s possible to prevent or slow the progression of your heart failure and enjoy improved energy levels. Learn more about treatment options available at HonorHealth.