Congestive heart failure is a condition that occurs when the heart doesn’t pump enough blood through your body. This can make it difficult for your lungs to get enough oxygen and nutrients to meet your body’s needs. Symptoms include shortness of breath, swelling in your ankles, feet, legs, or abdomen, and unexplained weight gain. It is crucial to seek primary care physicians 20874 if you experience any of these symptoms.
Congestive heart failure is caused by several conditions that damage the blood vessels, and they include:
This condition occurs when fat, cholesterol and other substances build up inside your arteries. This buildup can harden the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through them. As a result, less oxygen-rich blood reaches the heart muscle.
If you have heart disease, a heart attack usually occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked. This can happen when a clot forms on a plaque in an artery that feeds the heart. If this clot breaks free and travels through your bloodstream, it can also block blood flow to other parts of your body.
This causes the heart muscle to become enlarged, stiff, and weak. It can be caused by alcohol abuse, high blood pressure, infection, or other factors. Cardiomyopathy can cause symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue.
Diabetes damages your circulatory system over time, reducing your ability to fight off infections because of white blood cell dysfunction and also causing damage directly to the tissues in your body.
Additional factors can increase your risk of developing congestive heart failure. These include lifestyle factors such as being overweight or obese, eating an unhealthy diet, and not getting enough exercise.
Smoking is a major risk factor for developing congestive heart failure. It can damage the heart and lungs, causing them to become stiffer and less able to pump blood efficiently. If you smoke, quitting is important for your overall health and well-being.
There are a few different ways that congestive heart failure can be diagnosed. One common way is through a physical exam. Your doctor will examine your heart and lungs and look for any signs of swelling in your abdomen or legs. They may also order tests, such as an electrocardiogram (EKG) or chest x-ray, to get more information about your heart function.
Dr. Lakhvinder Wadhwa will work with you to develop a treatment plan that includes lifestyle changes and medication to help improve your symptoms and quality of life.
There are many congestive heart failure treatments in Germantown, MD. The most common treatment is medication, which can help control your symptoms and prevent them from worsening. If you’re taking medications, it’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions exactly so that they work as well as possible.
Your doctor might also recommend lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to lower blood pressure and improve circulation in other parts of the body besides those affected by congestive heart failure itself–this can help reduce symptoms even further.
Congestive heart failure requires immediate treatment. Visit Germantown Primary HealthCare immediately if you experience shortness of breath. We will be able to determine if there is any cause for concern and what treatment should be used to help prevent the problem from worsening over time.
