| - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - General Congestive Heart Failure Information Congestive heart failure is a condition that occurs when the heart does not pump as much blood as the body needs. The term failure does not mean that the heart has stopped, but rather refers to the inability of the heart to pump as efficiently as it should. When the heart does not pump blood effectively, blood backs up into the veins leading to the heart, causing fluid to accumulate in the lungs and other areas in the body. Congestive heart failure is a chronic condition that progresses over time, but it can also appear suddenly with little warning. Heart failure is categorized by severity and by the stages of its progression. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Possible Causes of Congestive Heart Failure Congestive heart failure is caused by a number of diseases and conditions that compromise the effectiveness of the heart muscle, including heart attack, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart defects, heart valve disease, pericardial disease, arrhythmias, heart damage due to chemotherapy and alcohol or drug abuse. Sudden onset heart failure can be caused by a new heart attack, blood clots in the lungs, overexertion or infections. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Possible Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms of congestive heart failure include shortness of breath after physical exertion or when lying flat; swelling in the feet, legs and ankles; sudden weight gain; heart palpitations; dizziness; fatigue; nausea; dry cough and abdominal swelling. Symptoms of sudden onset heart failure include severe shortness of breath; irregular or increased heartbeat and coughing up pink, foamy mucus. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Possible Lifestyle Changes for Congestive Heart Failure Congestive heart failure can be prevented by taking steps to lower the risk of developing heart disease. Dont smoke; lower cholesterol and blood pressure; eat a well-balanced, low-fat diet; get regular exercise; control diabetes and limit alcohol consumption. Those who must live with congestive heart failure can increase their quality of life by embarking on a controlled exercise program authorized by a medical professional, eating a heart-healthy diet, limiting salt intake, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake, and keeping a positive attitude. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - In accordance with FDA regulation, we do not make any therapeutic claims for any Dietary Supplements in accordance with the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. Beneficial Dietary Supplements L-Carnitine reduces fat in the blood and increases oxygen intake. Calcium and Magnesium aid proper heart function. Coenzyme Q10 increases oxygenation of heart tissue. L-Arginine improves blood flow. Essential Fatty Acids prevents hardening of the arteries. Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids helps regulate high blood pressure. Taurine improves force of heart muscle contractions. Creatine improves heart function. Hawthorn increases blood flow to the heart. Arjun helps alleviate lung congestion. REFERENCES: Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 3rd Edition, Phyllis Balch, CNC; James F. Balch, M.D. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Buy Beneficial Dietary Supplements and Products Below. |