Hearing the phrase “heart failure” is hair-raising. We immediately revert to our elementary science class when we first learned how the body works – if our heart is “failing” we are dying, right? This is what most people assume when they’ve been told they have congestive heart failure (CHF). Their minds race, thinking the end has arrived. Although this is a very severe disease it does not have to be a death sentence.
There are four stages to CHF and by following the correct health regimen and a variety of lifestyle changes you can decrease the chances of advancing to a higher stage and potentially not die from CHF.
CHF is a progressive disease that can be treated in its early stages. Heart failure does not mean that your heart has stopped beating or that it has failed. It means that your heart is weakened and is not pumping as well as it should be. A weakened heart is unable to pump enough blood to fulfill the body’s oxygen and nutrient requirements.
According to the National Institute on Aging, CHF is the number one reason people over the age of 65 are hospitalized. However, many people feel there is no hope in changing the outcome of their diagnosis because they have a lack of knowledge about their disease. It is important to be educated about your diagnosis and what is physiologically going on in your body. The more you understand, the more likely you will feel empowered to dedicate yourself to lifestyle changes and medication schedules.
The four stages of CHF are classified as mild to severe. The stages range from no limitation of physical activity to slight limitation of activity resulting in shortness of breath and fatigue. Moderate stage CHF is where activities like walking to get the mail or standing become challenging. And finally, end-stage CHF where the patient has symptoms at rest even though they are on medication. More advanced medical surgeries or end-of-life care may be required at this point.
What can you do to slow the progression and have a better quality of life?
• Follow the doctor’s orders. So many patients are not compliant with what their physician recommends. Some are not thrilled with the side effects of their medication, but they must remember the side effects of not taking their medicine are far worse. As the stages increase, it becomes more difficult to manage the disease. If you are not compliant you could advance through the stages of CHF in a matter of weeks. However, early diagnosis is something you can live with for a very long time.
• Educate yourself and commit to your lifestyle changes. Take your CHF diagnosis seriously and know that you have the control to change the outcome. Use less salt, cut out fried foods and increase physical activity.
Also learn the subtle signs of CHF so you can catch it early and get the help you need. These symptoms can include shortness of breath, fatigue, confusion and not being able to sleep unless sitting upright. It’s also very important to weigh yourself daily; a one- or two-pound weight gain in a day can be an indicator that you are retaining fluid. CHF can be difficult to identify in elderly patients that may also have other conditions, so talk to your physician today if you have any suspicions.