Congestive heart failure * The inability of the heart to pump enough blood throughout the body (decreased cardiac output) to maintain well-being * Can be caused by a MI
Pulmonary edema * A life threatening complication of left-sided congestive heart failure * When large amounts of fluid and blood accumulate in the lungs, causing the alveoli to fill up and air exchange to be nonexistent
Heart failure * A syndrome that occurs from the progressive inability of heart to pump enough blood to meet body’s oxygen and nutrient needs * Causes are * Coronary artery disease * MI * Cardiomyopathy * Heart valve problems * Increased fluid
Congestive heart Failure * Signs and symptoms * Fatigue, dyspnea, cardiac and respiratory rates increase, stess and anxiety
Left sided heart failure * The result of the left ventricle muscle being damaged or its due to overloading * Blood backs up from the left ventricle into the LUNGS and fluid leads from the blood into the air spaces of the lungs * Hypertension the major cause behind left sided heart failure * Because hypertension causes increased pressure in the arteries causing the left ventricle to work harder * LEFT = LUNG * Signs and symptoms * Crackles * Tachycardia * Dyspnea * Tachypnea * **The patient may complain of having to be propped up in order to sleep at night **
Right sided heart failure – * Occurs because of left sided heart failure * Occurs when the right ventricle is not able to pump effectively to the lungs * Major causes * Left sided heart failure * Must continually pump blood against increased fluid in pulmonary artery and lungs.
Treatment of heart failure * The treatment targets the reduction of the workload of the