Isn’t it ironic that on the day devoted to all thing hearts (Valentine’s Day), my mom’s heart decided to take a breather? She had another bough of congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalization in adults over the age of 65. My mom is 77.
Congestive heart failure is a result of one’s heart pumping in a less efficient way than normal. Blood moves through the body more slowly increasing pressure in the heart. Basically, the heart can’t pump enough blood carrying oxygen and nutrients to meet the body’s needs according to WebMD. As a result, the kidneys respond by causing the body to retain water and sodium. If fluid builds up in the arms, legs, ankles, feet, lungs, or other organs, the body becomes congested.
Symptoms of congestive heart failure include tightness of the chest, shortness of breath, and swelling in the legs. Nausea and abdominal pain may also occur. My mom says it feels like she is drowning in her own body. This wasn’t the first occurrence. She is on medication and should follow a restricted diet (no salt!). Sometimes she does and sometimes she doesn’t. And sometimes she ends up in the hospitable.
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Are you at risk for congestive heart failure? Risk factors include: poorly controlled high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and family history. My grandmother died of congestive heart failure so my mom has the family history covered.
Talk to your doctor about your chances of developing congestive heart failure. If you live in the Canton area and need medical care, Shefa Health Center offers primary and urgent care. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Find out more at shefaurgentcare.com.
