heart disease

Congestive heart disease is a physical disorder in which the heart no longer pumps hard enough. Since the heart pumps weakly, blood can back up into the lungs, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and extremities. Congestive heart disease is also called congestive heart failure (CHF), cardiac failure, or heart failure. These names can be misleading, since they seem to indicate that the heart has totally failed and that death is imminent. This is not the case. Congestive heart disease is nearly always a chronic, long-term condition, although it does sometimes develop suddenly. How Common Is Congestive Heart Disease? Of 100 people between the ages of 27 and 74, approximately 2 have congestive heart disease. That means about 6 million people in the U.S. are affected by the disease. After age 74, congestive heart disease becomes more common. It is said to be the leading cause of hospitalization among senior citizens. Causes of Congestive Heart Disease Congestive heart disease has many causes. Th...

Symptoms of Heart Disease The most common symptoms of heart disease, other than angina, include shortness of breath, palpitations, irregular or quickened heartbeat, weakness, dizziness, nausea and sweating. Angina or angina pectoris is the medical term used to describe chest pain. Heart disease treatment may include drug therapy, surgery or implantation of a device to help maintain proper heart rhythm, such as a pacemaker or ICD. The common symptoms of heart disease are also the primary symptoms of heart attacks. In short, anyone who experiences the symptoms of heart disease should see their doctor immediately. Evaluation by a physician is necessary to determine which heart disease treatment is appropriate, assuming any treatment at all is needed. Self-diagnosis or self-treatment of chest pain is never appropriate. Never forget that a heart attack does permanent damage to the muscle of the heart. There are a number of different diseases of the heart. The aforementioned symptoms of hear...