Congestive Heart Failure Research Paper

Heart failure, also known as CHF or congestive heart failure affects nearly 5 million people in the U.S. yearly with 1.4 million of those being under the age of 60. Half of these will die within five years of being diagnosed. (Heart Failure Statistics) CHF usually occurs over a period of time as the heart’s pumping ability grows weaker and can either consist of right-side heart failure, left-side heart failure, or both. “Right-side heart failure occurs if the heart can't pump enough blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen” and causes symptoms such as edema. “Left-side heart failure occurs if the heart can't pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body” and will show symptoms of dyspnea and fatigue. (What is heart failure?)

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A chest radiograph is one option which in a CHF patient will show hazy lung fields, distended vasculature, and cardiomegaly. An echocardiogram will also show heart enlargement along with ineffective ventricular contraction. Laboratory tests are one of the easiest ways to confirm it. They will show a decreased sodium and hematocrit levels, an elevated BUN and creatinine level, and an increased BNP level. Another way is a liver function test which show elevated levels that is usually linked to

A coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) can be done if patient is experiencing chest pain, a valve repair or replacement can be done if there is a valve dysfunction present, a partial left ventriculectomy, and a cardiac transplantation available, but will only be done as a last resort. Some other options include temporary devices such as an IABP (Intraaortic Balloon Pump) which is used to increase cardiac output and coronary artery perfusion or a VAD (Ventricular Assist Device) which is for partial or complete heart failure. The VAD supports the patient’s failing heart and has the possibility to be placed long term if the option of transplantation is not available. The last type of treatment for CHF is a CRT or Biventricular Pacing which is used when conduction delays occurs in one of the bundle branches and has leads that are used to stimulate cardiac contraction and improve the cardiac output. (Linton, A.D.) There are also many other ways to help manage heart failure. Examples are maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, stop all forms of tobacco, limiting alcohol intake, and controlling hypertension. (Congestive Heart