Congestive
Heart Failure in Men
According to the American Heart
Association, congestive heart failure (CHF) occurs when the heart
cannot pump enough blood to the body and internal organs. Left side
congestive heart failure occurs when the heart is either too weak
or arteries are too block for the heart to deliver sufficient force
necessary to get oxygenated blood to the body. Right side congestive
heart failure results from an inadequacy in the right side of the
heart to completely receive all the blood that returns to it. It
causes a buildup of excess fluid in the veins called Edema. Left
side congestive heart failure is more life threatening because it
diminishes the body’s supply of nutrition and oxygen.
A few facts about the
heart itself will help us understand exactly how congestive heart
failure can affect every aspect of body life!
The heart is actually a muscle,
located just to the left of the center of the chest that works to
pump blood throughout the body. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients
to the body’s tissues and keeps the body both alive and healthy.
The left side of the heart sends blood to the body with a force
great enough to carry it through literally thousands of miles of
blood, capillaries, and veins.
Unfortunately, a man often suffers
from congestive heart failure without even knowing he has it. A
heart attack often results, and upon examination by a doctor it
is discovered that congestive heat failure was the culprit. An entire
change in lifestyle, diet, medication, supplementation, and exercise
must follow to prevent a second, possibly fatal heart attack in
the future.
Many symptoms can indicate
the possible presence of congestive heart failure in a man.
Some result from the lack of blood
flow caused by left heart CHF. Others symptoms result from Edema-
a condition that results when right heart CHF blocks a portion of
blood returning to the heart and fluid builds up in organs and tissues.
A partial list representing both types of CHF follows:
- Shortness of breath and possible wheezing
after only mild exertion
- Shortness of breath while lying down
- Trouble sleeping
- Fluid buildup causing frequency of nocturnal
urination
- Excess fluid causes weight gain
- Swollen legs and ankles
- A fast or irregular pulse can be felt at
times
- First symptom sometimes most severe: Sudden
heart attack
Because many of these symptoms can result
from any number of other conditions, Vaxa strongly recommends against
ANY attempt at self-diagnosis. Two or more of these symptoms that
linger and/or worsen require immediate attention and a visit to
a physician for a professional diagnosis.
Several factors can either
cause or contribute to congestive heart failure.
Some can be brought on by aging
and genetic factors not completely understood by science at this
time. Heart infections and coronary artery diseases will often contribute
to a man developing congestive heart failure on the left side, as
any restriction of arterial passageways makes it harder for the
heart to pump blood. Untreated high blood pressure can do this as
well. Lifestyles characterized by extended periods of neglect or
self abuse probably account for much of the congestive heart failure
we see in men. Smoking, drinking, and overeating all either damage
or constrict blood vessels, making it that much harder for the heart
to do its work.
Over a period of time, congestive heart failure can affect major
organs of the body.
Lack of blood flow from congestive
heart failure on the left side creates oxygen deficiencies in the
blood that sap a man’s strength and affect vital organs. The
edema resulting from right side congestive heart failure can cause
feet and legs to swell up, making it difficult to walk. Kidney failure
in severe cases may also follow due to excessive water buildup at
a volume they simply cannot handle. Lungs develop chronic coughing
and sometimes produce blood in the cough.
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