Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure is the clinical condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the oxygen demand of the heart and other body tissues.

Risk Factors:

• CAD
• Hypertension
• Valvular heart disease
• Pericardial disease
• Cardiomopathy
• Pulmonary hypertension

Classification and Treatments:
According to the AHA/ACC the classification and treatments of CHF are:

CHF stage A

• Present of the risk factors
• No structural or functional abnormalities
• No signs and symptoms of CHF
• Treatments: managing the treatable risk factors, ACEIs

CHF stage B

• Present of structral heart disease without symptoms of CHF
• Treatments: ACEIs and beta blocker

CHF stage C

• Present of structural heart disease with prior or current symptoms of CHF (shortness of breath, fatigue, exercise intolerance)
• Treatments: diuretic, ACEIs, beta-blocker, digitalis, dietary salt restriction

CHF stage D

• Marked symptoms of CHF at rest despite maximal medical therapy
• Treatments: mechanical assist devices, heart transplant, continuous IV inotropic drugs, hospice care

Classification CHF according to New York Heart Association:

CHF Class I

• No limitation of activity
• No symptoms with normal activity

CHF Class II

• Slight limitation of activity
• Comfortable at rest or with mild exertion

CHF Class III

• Marked limitation of activity
• Comfortable only at rest

CHF Class IV

• Any physical activity causes discomfort
• Symptoms are present at rest
• Complete rest in bed or chair