Oct 30, 2001 06:49 AM
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When my wife was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, I was devastated. We have five small children and several grown children. What was I going to do? I knew nothing about this disease or how it would end up affecting our family. If there are any other of you out there who are as much in the dark as I was, this article is for you.
Congestive heat failure, which is also know as CHF happens when the heart muscle is weak and has trouble pumping blood through the body. Because of this, blood collects in the lungs or other parts of the body.
Congestive heart failure can be the result of a heart attach, high blood pressure, heart disease, infections of the heart, diseases of the heart muscle, or problems with the heart valves. As it turned out, my wife had several of the underlying conditions that we had been totally unaware of. Some other things that may trigger CHF are severe physical stress, lung disease, thyroid disease, emotional stress, or drug usage.
On of the most common symptoms is trouble breathing, especially when laying down. For months the doctors kept telling me that this was just her asthma, but, I knew differently. Some other signs that you may notice are swollen legs, swollen feet, feeling tired all the time, weight gain, loss of appetite, or feelings of weakness.
This disease can be controlled with medications. You must know, though, that without care and treatment; the condition can get worse and eventually lead to death. At first, my wife went through denial and the disease was beating her. After years of dealing and coping and learning to accept: she has found herself living again with a disease that at one time we thought was going to steel her from us. I attribute the change in her condition to the changes in her attitude and her now willingness to comply with the many changes that it has put on her life. Now, with the proper treatments and medications, she is able to lead an almost totally normal life.
To keep good control over your heart failure; you must quit smoking, get plenty of rest, try not to get upset, try not to put on weight, work a shortened day, exercise, avoid extreme heat or extreme cold, and eat a sensible diet.
Other things that you can do to help control your disease are:
Always take your medications as directed. This will most likely include daily aspirin therapy, medications to help decrease water weight gain, and medications to help your heart beat stronger. This was one of the hardest things for my wife to do as she does not like to take medications of any kind.
You should have a daily exercise program. It will help in making your heart stronger. It also helps to lower your blood pressure and increase your overall health.
Sometimes it can be difficult because medications that you must take, but the doctors recommend that you try to get at least seven hours of sleep each night. It is also important for you to take a nap during the day if you feel tired.(My children are wonderful with this and have what they call movie/rest time so that mommy can rest to. It is so cute to watch them put their mommy down for a nap.) Weigh yourself before breakfast everyday. Gaining weight can be a sign that your CHF is getting worse. You should always let your doctor know if you have gained more than two to three pounds in a day. If you are a spouse to a CHF wife, make sure that she does this and does not try to convince you that she just ate too much that day. It can be a costly mistake.
Do not hesitate to call the doctor if you feel lightheaded and dizzy, sweaty, or have an upset stomach after taking you medications. You will need to report if your blood pressure or pulse is higher or lower than normal-that being a key word as I have found that my wife's is much different from most peoples and that is okay for her.
People can live long and happy lives with congestive heart failure. If you wife or loved one has been diagnosed with this scary disease, remember: It is important that you work as a team. You took them on for better or worse and for sickness and health. I have learned that when my wife comes to me and says can you hold me for a while-I drop everything and go to her. She is scared, she is sick, and to reassure her is to help her recover.
