Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
A condition in which the heart is unable to circulate enough oxygenated blood to the body because it's not pumping strongly. This inefficient pumping causes the blood to back up in the veins. The body then retains fluids. This makes the legs swell (edema) and causes fluid buildup in the lungs, which can make it hard to breathe. CHF is most often the result of a heart attack, either acutely or chronically. CHF can lead to arrhythmia, which can lead to cardiac arrest.
Symptoms:
- fatigue
- difficulty breathing during exertion
- difficulty breathing when trying to lie flat
- swelling of the legs and ankles
- weight gain
- a chronic cough without fever
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