Do you find it difficult to breathe while you are lying in bed at night? The symptom you are experiencing is commonly associated with a disease known as congestive heart failure. There are actually many other symptoms that can develop if you are not treated in a timely manner. Getting to the root of how the disease developed if you have it is the first thing that should be done. This article will provide answers to the important questions that you might have concerning congestive heart failure.

What Is Congestive Heart Failure?

Basically, congestive heart failure is a disease that develops when your heart is no longer to pump a satisfactory amount of blood. One of the common causes of the condition is arteries in the heart becoming narrower than they are supposed to be. Blood has a hard time flowing through the narrowed arteries.

Who Is at Risk for Congestive Heart Failure?

High blood pressure can lead to congestive heart failure, as it can stiffen the heart and weaken the pumping action. Your heart can also have a hard time filling up with blood if it becomes stiff. Suffering from diabetes puts you at risk for developing congestive heart failure. If you are taking certain medications, it is possible that they put you at risk for congestive heart failure. For example, drugs that are used for treating cancer and high blood pressure increase your risk of getting the disease.

What Are Some of the Common Symptoms?

One of the signs of congestive heart failure is an irregular heartbeat. For instance, your heart might beat a lot faster than it should. Some of the common symptoms that are experienced include the legs and feet becoming swollen. The swelling stems from an excessive amount of fluid in the body. You might begin feeling the urge to urinate a lot during the nighttime hours, which could interfere with your ability to sleep. A lack of concentration is one of the other symptoms that are associated with congestive heart failure.

What Kinds of Treatment Options Are Available?

Before coming up with the best method of treatment, the specialist will have to make a diagnosis. He or she will ask about your medical history, as well as examine your body to determine if you are suffering from any conditions that increase your risk for the disease. You will be treated based on how severe your case of congestive heart failure is, as well as other underlying conditions that you have. Taking medication or undergoing surgery to repair a heart valve are common methods of treatment.

Talk to doctors like those at Van Wert County Hospital for more information about heart disease.