The Male Health Center - Congestive Heart Failure

Quiet Heart Failure

Be sure you know about this major killer.
Almost to a man, guys are well aware of the risks of heart attack. Next to cancer, it's the most feared of health problems. Far fewer, however, know that neither is the number-one cause of death and hospitalization in people 65 and older.

According to a recent Gallup survey, nearly 30 percent of older Americans have never heard of congestive heart failure, more half can't name a symptom of the condition, and 82 percent don't know what health problems put them at risk.

Congestive heart failure isn't as dramatic as a heart attack, and that's one reason it's so dangerous. Over time, the heart can gradually lose its ability to supply enough blood to meet the body's needs. Fluid builds up in the legs, abdomen, and lungs; the last causes congestion and difficulty in breathing. Most symptoms are subtle compared to the crushing pressure or pain of a heart attack, so many men fail to mention them to their doctor:

shortness of breath
swollen legs, ankles or abdomen
weight gain from fluid retention
cool, pale hands and feet
increased night urination
fatigue and weakness
confusion, memory problems, and insomnia

The most common causes of heart failure are coronary artery disease (the same condition that can lead to heart attack), long-standing high blood pressure, and heart valve abnormalities. Techniques such as listening to the heart can detect it, and a chest x-ray, an EKG, or an echocardiogram (a heart sound-wave test) can confirm the diagnosis and help your doctor determine how advanced the problem is.

Treatment consists of getting at the underlying causes by controlling blood pressure and weight, eliminating heart beat irregularities and other heart problems, reducing salt intake to prevent water retention, and avoiding intense physical activity.

Medication is often an important part of treating congestive heart failure, and establishing the right combination requires close cooperation between you and your doctor. It is vitally important that medicine be taken exactly as directed. Serious problems can develop if a patient begins to feel better and stops his prescription.

The most important thing to understand is that a weak heart isn't inevitable; congestive heart failure is not part and parcel of getting older. Pay attention to your health, and you can expect to just keep on ticking.

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