Pathophysiology/Etiology

Congestive Heart Failure often develops after other condition such as high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, diabetes, advanced age, tobacco use, obesity and high cholesterol can contribute to the damage or weaken of your heart. This can cause your heart to become stiff to the point that the heart cannot pump blood efficiently throughout the body to meet the oxygen and nutrient needs of the body.

Heart Failure can involve the left side, right side or both side of the heart. Generally the left side of the heart damage first then it will later effect the right side of the heart, which in turn damage both side of the heart.  If  heart failure is on the left side of the heart, the fluid may back up in your lungs, causing shortness of breath. If it is on the right side of the heart, fluid may back up into your abdomen, legs and feet, causing swelling.

About Heart Failure. (2012, August 20). Retrieved January 24, 2015, from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartFailure/AboutHeartFailure/About-Heart-Failure_UCM_002044_Article.jsp


Congestive Heart Failure CHF). (2013, August 18). Retrieved January 24, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJBFCergsuM

Heart failure. (2015, January 15). Retrieved January 24, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-failure/basics/causes/con-20029801