Do symptoms of CHF include liver pain?

I've been diagnosed with congestive heart failure for about 5 yrs. now.  I'm a 59 yr old female with high blood pressure also.  I've had a defibrillator/pacemaker implanted for several yrs also, due to my ejection fraction of my heart with a slight heart murmur.  I've had non-stop liver pain for several yrs along with swelling of my abdomen.  I've had fluid problems and been hospitalized numerous times for this also.  My question is?  What is going on with my liver?  Why does it hurt so much?  The only thing my cardiologist says, is that it is enlarged, no explanation of what to do, etc.  It is VERY painful, is this something to worry about?  Any info would be so appreciated!  Thank you.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hi,
The pain in the liver is due to enlarged liver secondary to congestive heart failure. The right heart failure leads to accumulation of fluid in the draining vein which is the inferior vena cava which leads to accumulation of fluid in the liver resulting in the congestion. Due to the enlargement of the liver, the capsule which covers the liver gets stretched and this results in the pain. Hence, the only remedy to reduce the pain is by reducing this stretch which is possible by ensuring the improvement in the congestive heart failure. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care.