Congestive Heart Failure

Also known as CHF, congestive heart failure occurs when the heart doesn’t have the strength necessary to pump blood through your body. Whereas heart attacks occur because blood can’t travel through plaque-filled arteries, CHF occurs because the heart muscle grows weak or stiff.

When this happens and the heart doesn’t push enough blood through the body, a number of symptoms may arise, the most common being shortness of breath like the feeling of being out of breath after a race. Many patients describe it as feeling they just ran a marathon.

Patients with heart failure can have the following symptoms:

• shortness of breath, especially when lying down,
• wheezing or coughing,
• increased heart rate,
• weight gain (fluid buildup) or weight fluctuations,
• lack of appetite or nausea,
• loss of muscle, and
• an overall feeling of being tired or run-down.

Do your part, and care for your heart! If you notice that your symptoms are getting worse, contact your primary care provider or make an appointment with one of our cardiologists. You do not need a physician referral to see a cardiologist (unless your insurance policy requires that you do). Our cardiologists are here to help you be heart smart.

To schedule an appointment with a cardiologist, call (505) 426-3613. Appointments available Mondays and Fridays.