Congestive heart failure is a disease that gets progressively worse as time passes. This is especially true if it goes on untreated. In many cases, it is caused by other conditions that weaken a person’s heart. Some of these conditions include a heart attack, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, damage or inflammation to the heart muscle, and faulty heart valves.

Many people that use the Best Hospice Facilities must deal with this condition. Because of this, it is a good idea to learn as much about it as possible.

There are four individual stages of congestive heart failure, and each one has a different outlook. It is also worth noting that some other disorders, such as a person’s lifestyle choices, can contribute to the development of this condition. In some situations, outlook and life expectancy can be impacted by surgery, medications, and lifestyle changes.

Live Expectancy with CHF

It has been estimated that approximately 50% of people who have developed heart failure will live beyond the five-year mark after being diagnosed. However, there is no type of simple answer for life expectancy rates. In fact, the average life expectancy for every stage of this condition varies from one person to another. A person’s lifestyle choices can also impact the condition as will other types of medical issues the patients are dealing with.

While CHF is not durable, detecting and treating it early can help improve a person’s life expectancy significantly. It is a good idea to follow a treatment plan that includes changes in a person’s lifestyle, and it may even improve their overall quality of life.

Stages and Symptoms

If a person is dealing with CHF, it means their heart is having issues pumping enough blood to the other organs in the body. This issue typically occurs because the ventricle’s walls, which will usually pump the blood through the body, are too weak and thin. This means the condition causes the blood to remain in the ventricle instead of being pushed out. Blood that remains in the heart may result in fluid retention since the heart will not be pumping enough blood to push the excess fluids out.

Stage one is also called pre-CHF. People with this condition may have other issues with their heart or doctors may have found a weakness in the heart that has not caused any issues. Those with stage two CHF will have minor symptoms but still be relatively healthy. At stage three, symptoms are usually seen regularly and may prevent individuals from handling day-to-day tasks. Stage four CHF is also referred to as late-stage CHF. At this point, extensive surgeries and medical treatment may be needed.

It is important to note that the symptoms of CHF will vary significantly based on the stage and if a person has any other medical conditions. While this is true, some of the top symptoms include swelling in the feet and legs, fatigue, chest pain, nausea, shortness of breath, and more.

Talk to a Doctor for More Information

If someone believes they may have CHF, or if they have received this diagnosis, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with a doctor right away. Doing so will pay off and help ensure the best possible results are achieved.