Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Congestive heart failure, or heart failure, is a condition in which the heart is unable to adequately pump blood throughout the body and/or unable to prevent blood from "backing up" into the lungs.
In most cases, heart failure is a process that occurs over time, when an underlying condition damages the heart or makes it work too hard, weakening the organ. Heart failure is characterized by shortness of breath (dyspnea) and abnormal fluid retention, which usually results in swelling (edema) in the feet and legs.
Symptoms of heart failure vary and include the following:
- Fatigue
- Increased heart rate, palpitations
- Loss of appetite
- Memory loss, confusion
- Nausea
- Persistent coughing or wheezing
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Swelling (edema) of the feet, legs, or abdomen
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