Congestive Heart Failure Questions

1. Are Swelling Feet in Someone Who's Bed-Bound a Sign of Impending Death?

   No, swelling isn't necessarily a sign of imminent death. In a bed-bound person, newly detected swelling is more likely due to one of the typical causes of edema. These can include:
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2. Should I Worry About Swollen Feet or Legs in an Older Person?

   Swelling of the feet, which is very common in older adults, can be a warning sign but most often is due to garden-variety aging of the leg veins. Whether to worry generally depends on:
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3. Which stage of heart failure am I in?

   The stages of heart failure are determined by how much shortness of breath you have, related to the amount of activity you can do without symptoms. For instance, some people can completely take care of themselves, such as dressing or bathing, with minimal shortness of breath. This would be Stage 1...
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4. Is congestive heart failure hereditary?

   Congestive heart failure (CHF) is not really a hereditary condition. However, many of the diseases that can cause CHF do run in families. Examples of diseases that can lead to CHF and are hereditary include heart valve abnormalities, coronary artery disease, and hypertension (high blood pressure)...
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5. Is a symptom of congestive heart failure coughing blood?

   Coughing up blood (hemoptosis) is usually not associated with CHF. More than likely, people will cough up blood if they are really coughing hard and are taking too much blood thinner medication. Blood can also come from the lungs, but it is usually darker in color (like rust). Also, you may also be right that the blood could be coming from the nose...
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6. FAQ: How Do I Know if My Loved One's Heart Failure Is Getting Worse?

   If you're worried that your loved one's heart failure is worsening, watch for signs that his or her heart isn't pumping well and isn't delivering oxygen to the tissues. These symptoms include cold extremities, confusion, irritability, fatigue, and decreased urination.
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7. FAQ: How Do I Know if My Loved One's Heart Failure Is Getting Better?

   Start by making sure your loved one's heart failure has at least stabilized. The best way to tell is by watching for improved symptoms, such as decreased shortness of breath and decreased swelling of the legs and belly. For some people, their appetite will improve, they'll sleep better, and they'll have more energy...
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8. FAQ: How Is Heart Failure Different From COPD?

   Both heart failure (formerly known as congestive heart failure) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) can cause shortness of breath and chronic cough, so it can be hard to tell the difference based only on those symptoms. However, the fluid retention associated with heart failure causes additional...
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9. FAQ: What's the Difference Between Systolic and Preserved Systolic Heart Failure, and Why Is It Important?

   Heart failure (formerly called congestive heart failure) can be classified in a number of ways, but one important distinction -- having to do with the difference between systolic and preserved systolic function -- refers to how the structure of the heart has been affected.
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10. My grandmother is on a ventilator and has moderate heart failure. What does this mean?

    The diagnosis of moderate congestive heart failure (CHF) means that the pumping mechanism of your grandmother's heart is moderately impaired. In general, this level of heart "failure" will respond to certain cardiac medicines which can help in a variety of ways: assist pumping action, dilate blood vessels, or help eliminate extra fluids in the bloodstream...
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11. Could my mother's CHF symptoms simply be sporadic or should we call the doctor?

    In your letter, you sound concerned about the chest pains your mother had. I am sure you are thinking she is having a heart attack! However, if she is having short bursts of pain, it is more likely to be related to angina, which is a chronic condition. Angina is chest pain that will go away, and usually helped by nitroglycerin...
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12. Is congestive heart failure hospice treatment premature?

    I am glad that your father is doing better. It sounds like the medications they are using have really helped him.
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13. What does "pacing" in regards to a pacemaker mean?

    Pacemakers are really wonderful devices. They closely monitor the heart, and when the heart does not keep up to a certain number of heartbeats, it will send a tiny electrical charge to make your heart beat for you (pacing). Common reasons pacemakers are used are when a person's heart beats very slowly...
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14. What causes swollen feet?

    Many things can cause swelling of the feet. This swelling can be mild or extreme, depending on the degree of the problem causing it.
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15. Is there a connection between blunt chest trauma and heart problems?

    First of all glad to hear you did not experience any head or spine trauma after your accident. Heart problems after blunt chest trauma are common especially when broken ribs are involved. The heart lies very close to the rib cage and an injury to the chest wall can lead to heart damage...
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16. What can be done for swollen legs due to CHF?

    Leg swelling due to congestive heart failure is very common. The swelling is due to excess fluid that backs up because the heart muscle is weak and cannot pump well. Diuretics are the usual treatment because they help the body get rid of excess fluid. There are numerous diuretics that can be used...
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17. Can a traumatic event cause congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy?

    Sorry to hear about your husband's accident. It is possible but unlikely that your husband's cardiomyopathy was caused by a car accident. Acute congestive heart failure can occur after chest trauma due to a "stunned" heart muscle but generally isn't a chronic condition. Perhaps he had other underlying unrecognized risk factors for heart disease...
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18. How can I keep boost the spirits of someone with CHF?

    It is natural to be scared when diagnosed with a heart problem so the important thing is to be supportive and sometimes that can help boost the spirits of someone with CHF. You may want to check and see if there are any CHF support groups in your area - check your local hospitals...
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19. What is giving my father more frequent heart palpitations?

    There are a number of possible causes. Sometimes palpitations (feeling the heartbeat) are the result of anxiety and have nothing to do with a heart abnormality. Palpitations can also be caused by irregular heartbeats, which may feel like extra beats or skipped beats. Even though this is common and usually isn't serious, it can still be worrisome...
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20. Can Coenzyme Q10 raise my mother's ejection fraction?

    There have been quite a few studies of CoQ10 and heart failure, but none of the best-designed ones have shown any benefit from this expensive treatment. Unlike CoQ10, many of the medicines prescribed for heart failure have shown clear benefits in prolonging survival, preventing hospitalization, and relieving symptoms...
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