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Congestive Heart Failure Can Strike Anyone
Newswise,
April 3, 2011 — Elizabeth Taylor died of
congestive heart failure (CHF) at the age of
79 on March 23. Her death raises awareness
of this serious condition that affects an
estimated five million Americans.
Congestive heart failure means that the heart muscle cannot
pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
CHF may develop over a long period of time,
sometimes over years, or almost immediately.
“There are many different reasons that CHF occurs,” says
Ali Tabrizchi, MD, an interventional
cardiologist at the Heart Center at Sinai in
Baltimore. “Genetics, which are passed down
through families, as well lifestyle choices,
can be to blame.”
Among the possible causes:
-Coronary artery disease
-Problems with the heart’s valves
-Thyroid conditions
-A heart attack
-High blood pressure
-High cholesterol
-Obesity
-Diabetes
-An infection of the heart muscle
-Vitamin deficiencies
People of all ages and of both sexes can have congestive
heart failure. Among some of people who died
from it are actress/dancer- Ginger Rogers,
make up founder- Max Factor Junior, jazz
musician – Lionel Hampton, NBA center- Kevin
Duckworth and actor-Andy Hallett-from
“Angel.”
Chest pain is only one possible symptom of a heart problem.
Other symptoms can be:
-Feeling constantly tired or weak
-Experiencing dizzy spells
-Urinating frequent during the night
-Having problems breathing when lying down
-Having shortness of breath, wheezing or
coughing when you exert yourself
-Swelling of your ankles or feet
-Waking at night coughing or short of
breath.
Adds Dr. Tabrizchi, “Through intensive treatment,
outpatient management and education, many
patients improve their health quality of
life.”
Based on examinations and tests, your physician will
develop a treatment plan to relieve for you,
which can include:
-Increased activity as recommended
-Dietary changes to reduce intake of salt
and sodium
-Medication to help the heart work better
-Rest to give the heart a break
-Referral for heart transplantation
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