Heart Failure

What is Congestive Heart Failure?

This chronic condition is caused by a heart that can’t pump blood the way it should. If you think you have congestive heart failure, due to chest pain or because you are at-risk, you should seek a diagnosis from your Maywood, NJ cardiologist. This allows you to start treatment immediately, so to help your heart function more adequately. Signs of heart failure include a rapid heartbeat, fatigue, swollen legs, and an inability to catch your breath. You may also suffer from a dry cough, or a phlegmy cough, that doesn’t respond to cough treatments. If you are suffering from all of these symptoms seek medical attention as soon as possible at Keystone Cardiology.

How Will My Cardiologist Treat Heart Failure?

Your cardiologist in Maywood, NJ will treat heart failure in various ways depending on your diagnosis. While congestive heart disease is difficult to cure, it can be treated effectively. For those with early onset or mild cases of CHF, lifestyle changes can be useful. These include reducing salt intake and drinking fewer fluids. Therefore for some patient's prescription medications can help improve the heart’s pumping ability. For others, the surgical implant of a pacemaker or defibrillator is the best treatment method. While this is a chronic disease that can last for years, you stand the best chance of a long life with cardiological care and treatment.

What is the Difference Between Systolic and Diastolic Heart Failure?

Systolic heart failure is one type of congestive heart failure. It occurs when the heart cannot pump adequately. The heart chambers are too thin and stretched to function as they should. For individuals with diastolic heart failure, the heart can’t fill up with blood properly. In this situation, the heart’s chambers are stiff and thick, which is the cause of the condition.