What is CHF?

Physically you may have increased fatigue, sudden weight gain (fluid buildup in your body), swelling of your ankles, increased shortness of breath, Oxygen saturation less than 90% (see here for pulse ox device) and lung crackles unrelated to a lung infection. Lung crackles are heard when a stethoscope is placed against the chest and a deep breath is taken. If you don’t have a stethoscope sometimes an ear to the chest will do.
A persistent cough that doesn’t go away; notable more so when you lay flat. Inability to eat due partly to a swollen abdomen can also be signs.

It is important if you think you may have CHF, that you see your physician. Your physician will want an echocardiogram and a fasting blood lab draw to confirm or deny this diagnosis. Further testing may also be done but an echo and labs are the basic first steps.
Once you have a CHF diagnosis, you must learn to manage it. Read below to learn how to manage each step of this disease.

At Risk for heart failure. This is where management of the underlying issue is important. This is an insidious stage because you may not know your heart is being damaged by high blood pressure or low iron.
Diabetes and smoking are also huge contributors to CHF and should be managed as their own diseases.

Stage 2:

This is where an echocardiogram test is important. The physician will use the numbers in the “echo” to determine your stage and treatment.
This is where little changes make the most difference. Cut out your extra salt, weigh yourself daily. Start a daily log of weights and blood pressures.

*Important: if you gain more than 5 lbs. in a week or 3 lbs. in a day, notify your physician immediately. Your care team may need to adjust your medications. Your weights and blood pressure log will help them determine the best action.

Click here for a pdf to download & help monitor your weight.

Stage 3:

At this stage your heart is very tired. It’s not pumping well and that is affecting the rest of your body. You kidneys become “tired” too and water begins to back up in your body. If your legs did not swell before, they likely do now.
Some of this added water pressure and pain can be relieved by elevating your legs throughout the day (and night). Tip: Elevating your ankles to heart level or higher will have the greatest effect.
Compression wraps or compression socks may provide relief. I recommend putting them on first thing in the morning, or when you first get up for the day. They should be snug but not rolling or causing indentations (which can restrict blood flow).

Stage 4:

You may need to use oxygen at this point. Breathing has become increasingly difficult as has mobility. You are only able to walk very short distances, few feet at the most.
You may experience chest pain; in some instances, this is anxiety. You may need to take anxiety medication more.
If you have not considered end of life care, you will want to now. You will want to complete a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) with your physician and make your wishes known in writing. The goal now is to pass to the next life comfortably.

Did you know? You already know there is added salt in processed foods, but did you also know there is added salt found in canned vegetables and soups? And when you go to the restaurant, the food tastes soooo good because of the added salt!