Congestive Heart Failure - What are the common risk factors?
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is defined as a chronic condition which affects your heart muscle's ability to pump. Usually, it is referred to as heart failure. It can turn out to be a fatal condition, if the right measures are not taken on time.
There are a few risk factors that increase your chances of suffering from CHF. The most common ones include:
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Coronary artery disease: In this condition, the arteries supply insufficient amount of oxygen and blood to the heart. Subsequently, the heart receives scanty amount of nutrients and oxygen.
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Heart attack: The sudden, unanticipated blockage of the coronary artery and the stoppage of the flow of the blood causes a heart attack. The heart muscles are damaged in such a case and are unable to carry out their normal functioning.
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Diseases: Though the term may be generic, most of the ailments which people suffer from tend to manifest themselves by posing a potential threat to the functioning of the heart. High blood pressure, kidney disease, even thyroid can cause congestive heart failure.
Though CHF may not show any symptoms in the early stages, but you will eventually notice the following symptoms as the condition progresses:
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Skin that appears blue
CHF can be prevented by making lifestyle changes and regular health check-ups. So never miss your doctor’s appointment and follow his suggestions.