One in 10 elderly people has heart failure. What can be done about it?
Congestive heart failure means that the heart is not pumping sufficiently to provide the blood supply the body needs. It can be caused by heart disease (heart attacks or blocked coronary arteries), hypertension (the most likely cause) or viruses. Symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath and fatigue. Heart failure can be determined by measuring the pumping effectiveness of the heart through echocardiograms, nuclear imaging stress tests or by heart catheterization. If one is found to have heart failure there are many treatments needed. Often people with heart failure need diuretics (fluid pills and blood pressure medications. Multiple clinical trials have shown that certain medications are beneficial in reducing the death rate of heart failure. Additionally, clinical trials have shown that in certain people with heart failure the use of an implantable defibrillator (ICD) can save many lives from sudden death. If you have heart failure, ask your health care provider if an ICD
