Dear Doctors: Our mother is 76 years old and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. She worries that it means she will soon die. What happens in congestive heart failure?she was a heavy smoker for most of her life. Could that be the reason this is happening?

To our readers: If you have congestive heart failure, it means your heart can no longer pump blood efficiently enough to meet your body’s needs. The ventricles may not fill with enough blood during a heartbeat, or the heart muscle may be too weak to pump properly. In both cases, the amount of blood that the heart can pump to the tissues is reduced, and the tissues do not receive enough oxygen and nutrients. This causes symptoms such as shortness of breath. Weakness and fatigue. Arrhythmia; wheezing; persistent cough. and swelling of the ankles, feet, and legs.

An estimated 6.7 million adults in the United States currently live with congestive heart failure. It can occur suddenly when the heart muscle is damaged due to illness or injury. However, in most cases, this condition develops slowly and is often caused by a chronic medical condition. These include high blood pressure, diabetes, arrhythmia, various diseases that affect the heart muscles and valves, and chronic kidney disease. Being overweight or obese and being sedentary can also cause symptoms.Cancer treatment is also possibleincluding chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and some immunotherapies. damage the heart and cause heart failure.

As you might imagine, smoking is often involved. Studies have shown that smokers are twice as likely to develop congestive heart failure as non-smokers. Nicotine, along with numerous chemicals found in tobacco products, causes physiological changes in the body. These include a sudden increase in blood pressure, inflammation of the cells lining blood vessels, and plaque buildup. it narrows the arteries.

Although there is currently no cure for congestive heart failure, the condition can often be successfully managed. Treatment includes lifestyle changes, medication, and sometimes requires the use of medical devices.Pacemakers and other devices to keep the heart’s rhythm within a safe and healthy range. If someone is actively smoking, it is imperative that they stop smoking. A healthy, balanced diet and a proper exercise program are also important.

Drugs are used to manage fluid buildup and reduce the risk of stroke. Patients are often advised to follow a medically supervised program known as cardiac rehabilitation. This includes supervised exercise, health education, and counseling to manage anxiety, stress, and depression.

The diagnosis of congestive heart failure can be very frightening. When you combine the words “heart” and “failure,” the outlook immediately becomes bleak. However, if you receive proper medical care, Compliance Lifestyle changes can help people with this diagnosis lead happy and productive lives.

If you have any questions, please send them to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu.