Congestive Heart Failure Specialist

What is congestive heart failure?

Congestive heart failure, also called heart failure, happens when your heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the needs of your body.

If you have right-side heart failure, the heart doesn’t fill with enough blood. In left-sided heart failure, the heart isn’t strong enough to pump oxygen-rich blood throughout the body with adequate force. It’s possible for heart failure to affect both left and right sides at once.

Although heart failure doesn’t mean your heart stopped, it’s a serious medical condition. Dr. Khedia has extensive experience helping patients manage congestive heart failure to live longer, healthier lives.

What causes congestive heart failure?

Several conditions can cause your heart to become damaged or overworked, such as:

• Coronary heart disease
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Heart defects you’re born with
• Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia)
• Hypothyroidism

Other conditions — such as illnesses, infections, blood clots, or allergic reactions — may also lead to acute heart failure.

What are the signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure?

Congestive heart failure may come on suddenly (acute) or be an ongoing condition (chronic). Common signs and symptoms of heart failure include:

• Shortness of breath
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Fatigue and weakness
• Swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, abdomen, and veins in the neck
• Rapid weight gain from retaining fluid

Many of these signs and symptoms result from the buildup of fluid in your body. Early symptoms of heart failure may include difficulty performing regular activities — such as climbing stairs — without getting tired.

How do you diagnose and treat congestive heart failure?

Early diagnosis and treatment of congestive heart failure can help you stay active longer. Dr. Khedia begins with a comprehensive physical exam and review of your medical history.

In addition to listening to your heart and measuring your blood pressure, he may take one or more tests to confirm the diagnosis, such as:

• Chest X-ray
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Blood tests
• Echocardiogram
• Holter monitor
• Stress test
• Cardiac MRI

If you have congestive heart failure, Dr. Khedia develops a personalized treatment plan, which may include:

• Treatment for an underlying condition of heart failure, such as hypertension
• Healthy lifestyle changes, such as a nutritious diet
• Medications to relieve symptoms

If you or a loved one has symptoms of heart failure, call the office of Sanjay Khedia, MD, or book an appointment online.