Death from congestive heart failure is sometimes sudden, although death from congestive heart failure can also be gradual.
Many people with advanced congestive heart failure experience a slow decline in their health and die gradually, although a significant number of deaths from congestive heart failure are also sudden and occur unexpectedly.
The deaths from congestive heart failure that come on suddenly are often caused by sudden cardiac arrest or a life threatening heart rhythm.
Sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops beating effectively.
Ventricular arrhythmias, which can also cause sudden death in congestive heart failure are abnormal and rapid heart rhythms in the hearts lower chambers and are the most frequent cause of sudden cardiac death in people with congestive heart failure.
People that have severe left ventricular dysfunction are also at the highest risk of sudden cardiac death and sudden death in congestive heart failure may also occur without any preceding trigger, although factors such as electrolyte imbalances can also contribute.
For many people with congestive heart failure, symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue worsen over time, which lead to a more gradual decline in health and as the congestive heart failure progresses to it's final stages, a person with congestive heart failure might experience a rapid deterioration in their health, and the heart's weakening can also affect other body systems.
The two drugs that are used in congestive heart failure are ACE inhibitors also called angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and diuretics.
ACE inhibitors widen your blood vessels to improve blood flow and reduce your heart's workload and diuretics help your body get rid of excess fluid.
Diuretics are also called water pills, because the diuretics help to remove excess fluid and salt from your body, which reduces swelling and makes it easier for your heart to pump.
Other drugs that are used for treating congestive heart failure are Beta Blockers, Digoxin and ARBs also known as angiotensin II Receptor Blockers.
Beta Blockers are drugs that block the effects of adrenaline, which slow the heart rate and lowers blood pressure, which allows your heart to pump the blood more efficiently and reduce your heart's workload.
ARBs or angiotensin II Receptor Blockers are similar to ACE inhibitors and ARBs relax your blood vessels and reduce salt and water retention.
Digoxin is a medication that helps your heart pump blood more forcefully and can also help with certain irregular heart rhythms.
When you have congestive heart failure, it's also crucial that you manage your total fluid intake as directed by your doctor, and limit sugary drinks like juice and sodas and also be mindful about any sodium intake in all fluids and foods.
Water is the best drink for hydration and general health, and unsweetened tea and coffee can be consumed in moderation as they contain some heart healthy compounds.
Plain milk is also good for drinking when you have congestive heart failure.
The four stages of congestive heart failure are Stage A, "at risk", Stage B, "Pre heart failure", Stage C, "symptomatic heart failure", and stage D, "advanced heart failure".
These stages of congestive heart failure are defined by the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association and they progress in severity, with stage D of congestive heart failure being the most severe form of congestive heart failure.
The last stages of congestive heart failure are when a person is experiences breathlessness during activity and at rest, persistent wheezing or coughing and they may produce pink mucus or white mucus.
The cough with the last stages of congestive heart failure may also be worse when lying down or at night.
The end with congestive heart failure will most often lead to memory loss, general feeling of disorientation and confusion as a result in the change in sodium levels in the body when the heart fails.
During end stage congestive heart failure the person also experiences a racing or throbbing heartbeat in response to the loss in heart pumping capacity which causes the heart to beat faster.
Congestive heart failure can cause the kidneys to shut down as congestive heart failure can also weaken the kidneys ability to remove fluid from the body.
Congestive heart failure is also a major cause of progressive chronic kidney disease which can also lead to kidney failure.
Heart failure can last from 1 year to 5 years before death.
Half of the people diagnosed with heart failure die within 5 years of diagnoses and people diagnosed with end stage heart failure die within 1 year or less of diagnoses.
The first signs of heart failure are a cough that does not go away or a cough which brings up pink mucus or white mucus with spots of blood, wheezing, reduced ability to exercise, rapid or irregular heartbeat, swelling in the feet, legs and ankles, fatigue and weakness and shortness of breath with activity or when lying down.
The life expectancy of someone with congestive heart failure is between 5 to 10 years depending on how bad the congestive heart failure is.
Dying of congestive heart failure is sometimes painful although not always.
Some people dying of congestive heart failure during the final stage may experience some pain or discomfort while dying and others may not experience any pain at all.
To treat pain in patients with congestive heart failure non opioids and opioids can be used such as paracetamol.
People who are getting or have congestive heart failure may experience symptoms such as Irregular or Rapid Heart Beats, Weakness, Fatigue, Dizziness, Water and Fluid Retention, white or pink blood-tinged phlegm, wheezing, Persistent Cough, shortness of breath and a reduce in your ability to exercise.
Another sign of congestive heart failure is swelling of your hands, feet, ankles and legs as well as congestion of your lungs due to fluid backing up into your lungs.
If you or someone are experiencing any of those symptoms then it could be a sign that congestive heart failure is coming or you or someone already has congestive heart failure.
So get to a doctor or the emergency room if you think you or someone may be having or has congestive heart failure.
When you have something wrong with your heart they'll usually be signs to look for that can mean you have heart problems.
Common signs and symptoms of heart problems include chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure and chest discomfort (angina) Shortness of breath.
Pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in your legs or arms if the blood vessels in those parts of your body are narrowed.
Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen or back.
The best way to strengthen a weak heart muscle is to eat healthy and eat foods such as oats and other foods high in fiber.
Also exercise is a good way to strengthen a weak heart muscle and to help keep your heart strong and healthy as well.
Brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling, playing tennis and jumping rope.
Heart-pumping aerobic exercise is the kind that doctors have in mind when they recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity.
The signs of an unhealthy heart are chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure and chest discomfort (angina) Shortness of breath.
Pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in your legs or arms if the blood vessels in those parts of your body are narrowed.
Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen or back.
The closing and opening of the heart valves is what causes the sound of the heartbeat.
The familiar 'lub-dub' sound of the heartbeat is caused by the rhythmic closing of the heart valves as blood is pumped in and out of the chambers.
A heart murmur is a sound caused by blood flow within the heart.