What is Congestive Heart Failure?

Cardiologist in Banjara Hills Dr. Sarat Chandra Explains Heart Failure

Dr. K. Sarat Chandra                                                                       

MBBS, MD, DM (Cardiology), FACC, FESC, FCSI

Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist

Department of Cardiology – Virinchi Hospital

Former President – Cardiological Society of India (CSI)

Dr. Sarat Chandra is a famous cardiologist in Banjara Hills Hyderabad. He is currently working as a Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist in the Department of Cardiology at Virinchi Hospitals. He has more than 36 years of experience in interventional cardiology. Dr. Sarat provides the most advanced and robust treatment for a wide range of cardiovascular diseases. He is the elite interventional cardiologist in Hyderabad as he has been performing the most challenging and complicated interventional procedures for over three decades. He is an expert in TAVR and mitral valve replacement procedures in Hyderabad.

Heart Failure or Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure is a condition in which your heart doesn’t pump blood as efficiently as it should. It is a progressive condition that leaves the heart muscles too weak to fill and pump blood efficiently. In a nutshell, heart failure means, the heart works less efficiently than normal.

The following are the most prominent causes of heart failure

• Coronary artery disease
• Silent heart attacks
• Heart attacks
• Cardiomyopathy
• Congenital heart defects
• Heart valve disease
• Kidney disease
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Thyroid problems
• Obesity
• Severe forms of anemia
• Lung disease (emphysema)
• Certain types of Arrhythmias
• Excessive Alcohol Use
• Drugs use
• Smoking

Symptoms of Heart Failure

 A person who has heart failure may experience mild to severe symptoms. Sometimes, there are no symptoms at all. In some cases, symptoms are constant – and, in others, symptoms are intermittent (come and go). Typical symptoms of heart failure include the following:

Lungs – fluid build-up in the lungs causes shortness of breath, breathing difficulty. Quick exertion with little work or physical activity. In severe cases, breathing difficulty at rest or while lying in the bed.

A dry hacking cough or wheezing due to lung congestion may also be present.

 Water (fluid) Retention

Symptoms include swollen feet, ankles, legs, and abdomen; gain in body weight. This is due to water retention in the body as less blood flow to the kidneys.

The other symptoms include increased urination during the night, bloating, nausea, and loss of appetite.

Due to fluid build-up in different parts and organs of the body, it becomes congested and therefore the term “Congestive heart failure” is used to describe the condition.

Fatigue (weakness) – less blood flow to different organs and systems of the body makes the patient feel week and tired.

 Dizziness and confusion – Less blood flow to the brain causes dizziness or confusion.

Irregular or rapid heartbeats – strained heartbeats faster to pump blood resulting in rapid heartbeats.

A Comprehensive Diagnosis of Heart Failure

Bottom Line

Any person who has heart failure may have some or all of the above symptoms or may have none of them. If you experience any of the above signs and symptoms of heart failure, book an appointment with the cardiologist in Banjara Hills Hyderabad. Early diagnosis and treatment ensure excellent outcomes with long-term recovery and fewer complications.