congestive heart failure

[dannyday5821]

can someone simplify this in basic terms for me...everywhere on the net is so complecated!

[Octavius]

The heart is a muscular organ in the body for which the sole responsibility is pumping blood through the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions.

Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart is not strong enough to pump the blood efficiently around the body so fluid collects in the lungs and body tissue and causes congestion.

Congestive heart failure does not mean that the heart stops. It is a long-term condition that can be kept under control for many years with medication and lifestyle changes.

[dannyday5821]

ah now that makes sense to me! thanks alot Octavius, thatll come in very useful when im at work!

[Clanad]

In addition to Octavius' confident explanation; it helps to know that the heart is contained within a sack, called the pericardium. This sack or membrane has an inner and outer layer, with a small amount of lubricating fluid in between. The fluid content can increase for various reasons, aften related to inadequate respiration and the bodies inability to give off water (as in emphysema patients, for example). As the fluid builds it resricts the heart, making it work harder. This can cause, if untreated, an enlargement of the heart. Paradoxically, though the heart is enlarged it becomes less and less efficient resulting in the aforesaid congestive heart failure. The "congestive" in the title relates to the failure, generally, of one of the chambers of the heart not emptying adequately when filled by the other chambers, hence it becomes congested....

[dannyday5821]

thanks again for your answer! wow - its like back at school! lol :P ill be honest, i never thought after leaving school id still love to learn something new!

[Nautilus]

I have it......wish I didn't.
Get a healthy diet and plenty of exercise.

Wish I had !!

[dannyday5821]

well thats life init