Congestive heart failure is one of the leading causes of death among elderly patients, and today, heart diseases affect over 7 million people in the United States. Individuals suffering from this condition face a situation wherein their heart does not pump blood effectively to the rest of the body, which can lead to fatal results.

When it comes to this issue, habits and lifestyle choices affect one as much as external factors. Things like a sedentary lifestyle, excessive smoking, regular over-consumption of alcohol, and an unhealthy diet are likely to increase one’s chances of developing congestive heart failure. As a chronic, progressive disease, knowing the causes and symptoms of congestive heart failure may help one diagnose it in time and manage it better.

The causes and symptoms of congestive heart failure include the following:

1. Causes of heart failure
Heart failure is caused by several factors, including the following:

• Coronary artery disease: Coronary artery disease is where the arteries supplying blood and oxygen to the heart develop issues. A coronary artery disease can impact the way arteries continue to function, resulting in limited blood flow to the heart and eventually, starving it of both, blood and oxygen.
• Heart attack: This generally happens when one of the main arteries supplying blood to the heart get blocked. And as a result, the heart muscle starves, resulting in a heart attack.
• Cardiomyopathy: This is where the heart muscle gets damaged as a result of one’s habits, such as alcoholism, smoking, drug use and more.
• Conditions that can compromise the heart: One could also develop several health issues that may have a direct correlation on how the heart continues to function. For example, conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid gland, and others can compromise the heart, leading to a heart attack.

2. Symptoms of heart failure
If one is a caregiver for elderlies, they may come across some or all of these symptoms in their patients. In this case, it is advisable to take them to a cardio specialist, who can examine his/her health. Some of the symptoms associated with cardiac arrest are as follows:

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue or weakness
• Erratic heartbeats
• Inability to exercise regularly
• Persistent cough or phlegm
• Increased need to urinate at night
• Swelling of the abdomen (ascites)
• Fluid retention and weight gain
• Cognitive difficulties such as concentrating or focusing on a particular task
• Mild to severe chest pain, repeated pains in the chest area

If one experiences any of the following symptoms, it is recommended for them to get it checked out at the earliest. Once an accurate diagnosis is arrived at, medical professionals can guide individuals through treatment methods, care, and various ways to manage to live with the condition.