What Is Congestive Heart Failure?
The most important muscle in the body, the heart is responsible for pumping blood around the body to all of the organs, muscles, and other parts of the body. As such, the heart is constantly active maintaining the proper functioning of the body. Several factors work against the heart, causing added stress to this major muscle. When those factors become too great complications may arise. Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart does not pump blood throughout the body as effectively as it should.
Heart failure may be chronic, long-term, or acute, a sudden attack. Either way, the basic symptoms of heart failure are the same. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in the extremities, irregular heartbeat, reduced ability to exercise, persistent cough, white or pink tinged phlegm when coughing, increased urination, and swelling of the abdomen. Additionally, sudden weight gain from fluid retention, lack of appetite, nausea, difficulty concentrating, elevated pressure, and chest pain are all signs of heart failure.
Heart failure typically occurs after other conditions have damaged or weakened the heart. Factors that contribute to heart failure include coronary artery disease and heart attack, high blood pressure, faulty heart valves, damage to the heart muscle, congenital heart defects, abnormal heart rhythms, and other diseases.
While treatment of any heart condition requires extensive doctor supervision, many homeopathic treatments support heart health and treat the condition and symptoms associated with heart failure. Effective congestive heart failure treatment supplements include co-enzyme Q-10, iodine, thiamin, selenium, magnesium, and potassium. Lifestyle changes including eating a more balanced diet, exercising, and drinking more water are also helpful treatment supports. Losing weight also reduces the strain placed on the heart and may be advisable in some cases.
