Pathophysiology and Etiology of Congestive Heart Failure - Research Paper Example

Venous blood is not pumped to the lungs for oxygenation. This accumulates in many body parts such as the legs and abdomen as a result of gravity.

Etiology

• Diseases and agents that weaken heart muscle contraction, especially ventricular muscle, for example, heart attacks, infections of the heart muscle (myocarditis), toxins, chronic alcohol abuse, and some chemotherapeutic agents (systolic dysfunction).
• Diseases that cause stiffening of the heart muscle, hence affect ventricular relaxation and filling; hemochromatosis, amyloidosis, and long-standing high blood pressure (diastolic dysfunction).
• Diseases that enhance oxygen demand by tissues that supersede the capacity of the heart to deliver the oxygen to the blood; hyperthyroidism and anemia.

Signs and symptoms

• They vary amongst many patients depending on the type (whether it is systolic or diastolic) and the organs affected. Fatigue is the earliest symptom of CHF due to the inadequacy of the heart to perform its function.
• Edema of ankles, legs, and abdomen due to fluid accumulation into various body parts
• Fluid accumulation in the lungs causes shortness of breath (dyspnoea) when lying flat or during exercise
• Patients wake up at night to gasp for breath (Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnoea)
• Increased urination at night due to fluid build-up in the body
• Abdominal pain and decreased appetite due to increased fluid in intestines and liver

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of CHF entails; having noteworthy knowledge about the medical history of the patient; carefully taking a proper history concerning the present condition of the patient; carefully conducting a physical examination and conducting the necessary laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis. This will assist the health care expert to identify signs that are consistent with CHF.

Diagnostic testing

• Electrocardiograms and chest X rays detect past heart attacks, heart enlargement, and arrhythmias
• Echocardiography- detects heart muscle weakness
• Ultrasounds –gives images of the heart and its valves
• Nuclear medicine studies
• Assaying of Atrial-Natriuretic Peptide levels- increased in heart failure
• MRI scans of the heart

Treatment

• Treatment should start immediately CHF is diagnosed in a patient. For one, lifestyle modification should be used so that no further fluid is retained in the body. This is done through the regulation of sodium intake in food since sodium increases fluid in the body. Restriction of alcohol intake and monitoring fluid intake also manages the condition
• Correction of the disorder that is causing the condition
• Regular exercises

Medications

CHF medications reduce symptoms and increase survival. These include

• ACE inhibitors such as captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril, and related brands.
• ARBs such as losartan, valsartan, telmisartan and candesartan
• Beta Blockers
• Digoxin
• Diuretics such as furosemide, spinolactone and metolazone