Congestive Heart Failure

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Congestive Heart Failure
Armi Gonzales
Western Governors University

Congestive Heart Failure A. Investigated Disease Process
Congestive Heart Failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump a sufficient amount of blood for the body to function. If the heart’s ability to pump blood decreases, blood and fluids may start to pool into the lungs and accumulate in the legs, ankles, and feet causing an edema, shortness of breath, and fatigue. (Heart Failure, 2015, para. 2) The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology defines heart failure as “a complex clinical syndrome that can result from any structural or functional cardiac disorder that impairs the ability of the ventricles to fill with or eject …show more content…

The right ventricle receives blood form the right atrium and pumps it to the lungs, where it gets loaded with oxygen. The left atrium receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and pumps it to the left ventricle. The left ventricles, also known as the strongest chambers, pump oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. The left ventricle’s contractions create the blood pressure (webmd.com). The coronary arteries run along the surface of the heart and provide oxygen- rich blood to the heart muscle. A web of nerve tissue emits signals that control the relaxation and contraction of the heart. (Heart Health Center, 2014, para. 4)
Congestive heart Failure
Congestive heart failure (CHF) happens when heart fails to pump blood sufficiently. Certain condition such as Coronary artery disease, (narrowed arteries) or high blood pressure, gradually leave heart too weak or stiff to fill and pump efficiently. (mayoclinic.org) CHF may occur acutely or chronically and can be defined as the heart’s inability to maintain adequate circulation of blood. CHF can involve either the right ventricle or the left ventricle. (The Stages of CHF)
Stages of Heart Failure
Class I- early stages- Activities of daily life are barely affected. Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea (PND) - a condition when a patient is short of breath while lying down maybe present in this stage. This is a result of fluid in the lungs blocking oxygen exchange. When patient is in

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