Please explain CHF

[AnneyMay54]

I was diagnosed with CHF when I  was in my late thirty's. I won't say how old I am now but I am not quite as old as dirt. I was given diaretics, my blood pressure is always fine, and I sweat terribly especially at night. It was 30 degrees here last night and I had the air conditioner going to try to stop the sweating so I wouldn't have to change the bed in the middle of the night again. Not sure if I should say the other things that are wrong but for the sake of information here goes. I also have COPD, serious blood clot history, and the doc is looking to prove Sarcoidosis these days. I have said all of this just to ask, if someone could explain what CHF is? The doctors just says this is what it is, shove medicines at me and walk out of the office. Then I found this forum. How wonderful this is that people can help one another.

[ddavey]

the place to go to find info on chf and the stages is the american heart associations website at www.americanheart.org    Also. there is a good blood test indicator for heart failure called BNP  brain natriuretic peptide   hope this helps and good luck to you
dawn

[AnneyMay54]

thank you so much for your reply. Would you happen to know where a person could find out what the stages are and would be explained? thanks again. Anneymay

[WMN854]

CHF (congestive heart failure) is caused by the heart muscle being unable to eject all of the blood out of the heart because the muscle is either enlarged or weakened. The blood that is not ejected  backs up into the lungs in the form of fluid which makes it difficult for oxygen to be exchanged in the lung tissue. You can have right, or left sided heart failure. The diuretics help to get rid of the extra fluid from the heart failure. There are different levels of CHF (I think stage 1 to 4?) which is based on symptoms and stability of the condition. Hope that helps.

[AnneyMay54]

Thank you so much for the attempt to answer the question. I will keep looking also and when I find something I will let you know. But I will tell you that I am wondering if it doesn't have something to do with the lymphatic system. The reason I say that is because some months ago my doctor sent me to a physical therapist that wrapped my legs in ace bandage, right on first for 10 days and then the left one for the same. I had to go to the office every day to get rewrapped. I asked him why my heart wasn't pumping the fluid out of my body and he said, "because your heart doesn't have anything to do with it. It is your Lymphatic System and it works on gravity." I just remembered that!!!! He said that the wraps massage the legs and make the fluid travel up and out. He was certainly right because by the time the 10 days was over my legs were their normal size. Now I just wear compression stockings to keep the fluid down. NOT those t.e.d. hose. Those are to try to prevent blood clots and are not strong enough for this duty. You might try this for your dad.
I can hardly believe that I remembered all that!!!! My memory these days is terrible!!! Well, let's check out the lymphatic system and see if we can find more answers there.
Hope this helps.
Blessings,
AnneyMay
PS Would appreciate prayer for stopping smoking

[selmaS]

Hi.....I am asnwering even tho I can not answer ur question all that well!! I posted a ? here and have yet to be answered!!

From what I have found out.....CHF is when u develope fluid around the heart...hence the diaretics u were rx'd.

I also read that there r different levels of CHF......I have no way of knowing which stage ect someone may be in. I am concered for my father and wanting to understand what options there r for him.

I have several conditions, CHF is not one, but I have learned to get pushy and demand to have ur ?'s answered or find a dr u can work with.

I hope someone that understands this better than I will answer u, so I too may learn more.

Good luck
Godspeed
"selma"