Congestive Heart Failure

Today in my office I examined a patient who was complaining of shortness of breath. He was a heart patient who was experiencing a slight amount of congestive heart failure (CHF). Just what is CHF? It is a condition that occurs when fluid is backing up from the heart into the small air sacks of the lungs. The patient will begin to feel like they are drowning in the most serious form. As it worsens the patient with CHF cannot get enough air and may actually begin foaming a liquid out of their mouth that may appear to be stained with blood. It can come on quickly, and it can be deadly.

In the case of this patient it was mild, and I was able to treat him with intravenous furosemide. This is a medication that forces the patient to produce a great deal of urine very quickly. The removal of liquid in this fashion results in a reduction of the fluid in the lungs and an improvement in the breathing. The best thing that a patient who has CHF can do is to record their weight every day. A sudden change of weight by three or four pounds over one or two days can lead to the rapid development of CHF. A rapid weight change like this is almost always fluid retention.

Healthy people can easily handle two or three extra quarts of water in their bodies; however, this type of fluid retention in heart patients can be lethal. I advised him to record his weight daily and to limit his fluid intake. I explained the importance of daily weight and the avoidance of salt. This case turned out well, and the patient understood the importance of taking an active role in his cardiac care. I will be leaving him on medication to increase his fluid output as well as other cardiac medications. Another day at the office with a great outcome is very gratifying!!