Dr. Richard Zelman | Understanding Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart muscle
becomes weakened or stiff, leading to inadequate blood flow to meet the body's
needs. The condition can result from various underlying causes, including
coronary artery disease, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, and valvular heart
disease. Over time, as the heart struggles to pump efficiently, fluid begins to
accumulate in the lungs, abdomen, and extremities, leading to the hallmark
symptoms of CHF: shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in the legs and ankles,
and persistent coughing or wheezing.
Richard Zelman MD emphasizes that CHF is not a single disease but a syndrome—a
collection of symptoms that can arise from a variety of cardiac and non-cardiac
conditions. This makes individualized treatment crucial, as the underlying
cause of heart failure can vary widely from one patient to another.
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