| Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is a condition in which | | | | difficult to breathe. Since CHF already causes |
| the heart does not pump the blood through the body | | | | problems with water retention, it is helpful to retain |
| properly. When the blood is not properly pumped | | | | as little water with diet as possible. Another thing |
| throughout the body, the oxygen that the blood | | | | that causes water retention is drinking excessive |
| carries is not appropriately dispersed to the muscles | | | | liquids. This is another thing the doctor may limit. |
| and other places that require oxygen. At this time in | | | | Besides medicine and adjusted diet, exercise is a way |
| medical technology, Congestive Heart Failure is not | | | | to cope with Congestive Heart Failure. Many people |
| curable. However there are medical treatments for | | | | with CHF think that physical activity will harm them. |
| the condition and adhering to these treatments helps | | | | However, though strenuous activity is not be |
| patients with CHF to live as comfortably and as | | | | appropriate, light to moderate activity can be healthy |
| normally as possible. There are ways to cope with | | | | when done carefully. |
| CHF. | | | | Another way to cope and live comfortably with |
| First, when a patient is diagnosed with CHF, he or | | | | Congestive Heart Failure is to make sure you reduce |
| she needs to find a heart specialist that he or she | | | | stress as much as possible. Stress has a very |
| goes to regularly. The patient also needs a regular | | | | negative effect on your heart and as a result, has a |
| practitioner to be able to keep on top of | | | | negative effect on the functions of your body. Any |
| prescriptions and other things. Certain medications will | | | | worry or burden that your family, friends, or |
| be prescribed and one of the best things that a CHF | | | | caregivers can take from your shoulders is a positive |
| patient can do is to take medications on time | | | | action toward relieving your stress. |
| regularly and in the correct amounts. Another thing | | | | Obviously health risks such as smoking should be |
| that will help your doctor determine the right | | | | ceased. The use of nicotine uses up precious available |
| combination of medications for you is to record when | | | | oxygen in the system and therefore should be |
| you take your medications and how you feel after | | | | stopped to allow as much oxygen as possible to |
| taking your medications. If a certain medicine is | | | | exist in the body. |
| causing side affects, your doctor might possibly be | | | | One last thing to remember is to watch physical |
| able to prescribe a substitute for that particular | | | | symptoms. Always record how you feel and make |
| medication. | | | | sure you tell your doctor of the slightest change in |
| Another important aspect of keeping a relatively | | | | the way you feel. Listen to the signs your body is |
| healthy and comfortable lifestyle is diet. Most patients | | | | giving you in order to stay on top of your condition. |
| are placed on a restrictive diet. Many are required to | | | | Remember, CHF is a condition that can be coped |
| eat heart-healthy low-fat, low-sodium diet. In most | | | | with and treated, but you must alter your lifestyle to |
| cases, 2 g of sodium is the daily limit. Excessive | | | | get the best quality out of your life. |
| sodium in a diet may cause water retention, making it | | | | |