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Heart failure Health Article

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Complications

Pulmonary edema
Total failure of the heart to function (circulatory collapse)
Arrhythmias including lethal arrhythmias

Possible side effects of medications include:

Low blood pressure (hypotension)
Light-headedness and fainting
Lupus reaction
Headache
Gastrointestinal upset (such as nausea, heartburn, diarrhea)
Cough
Muscle cramps
Digitalis toxicity

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if weakness, increased cough or sputum production, sudden weight gain or swelling, or other new or unexplained symptoms develop.

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you experience severe crushing chest pain, fainting, or rapid and irregular heartbeat (particularly if other symptoms accompany a rapid and irregular heartbeat).

Prevention

Follow your health care provider's recommendations for treatment of conditions that may cause congestive heart failure. These recommendations may include:

Treat your high blood pressure with diet, exercise, and medication if necessary.
Treat your high cholesterol with diet, exercise, and medication if necessary.
DO NOT smoke
Avoid alcohol use
Take an ACE inhibitor if you have heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
Treat arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) and keep your heart rate under control.
Treat an underlying thyroid disorder.

Also, consider the following lifestyle habits, especially if you have a strong family history of CHF:

Reduce salt intake.
Exercise

References

Hunt SA, Abraham WT, Chin MH, Feldman AM, Francis GS, Ganiats TG, et al. ACC/AHA 2005 Guideline Update for the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Heart Failure in the Adult. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005;46:1-82.

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Reviewer Info: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.; ADAM Health Illustrated Encyclopedia, 07/17/2006