Stages of Congestive Heart Failure - LPNI

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Stages of Congestive Heart Failure

LPNI Health Topic November, 2022

A couple months ago, a friend of mine developed Congestive Heart Failure, and she said it was Stage 1. I had never heard of stages for Congestive Heart Failure so guess what this article is about! About six million people develop Congestive Heart Failure every year at all ages, serious and chronic. The survival rate is about five years. This serious condition starts when the heart weakens and cannot efficiently pump blood to the rest of the body. When this happens, the kidneys become involved and cannot filter out enough fluids. The body begins to retain the fluids involving the abdomen, liver and lungs causing a congestion of fluids. It is progressive and worsens over time and that is where the stages come into the picture.

Stage One: Is usually asymptomatic but the person should be seen by a doctor to understand the condition and begin making changes in lifestyle and get on medication, if needed.

Stage Two: Usually palpitations begin upon activity, causing shortness of breath and fatigue. This may cause more monitoring by the physician.

Stage Three: Any physical activity may cause symptoms more severe than Stage Two. Consultation with a cardiologist is necessary if not done before now. The treatment can become more complicated, and more attention is needed.

Stage Four: Symptoms are always present, constantly feeling tired and there is no physical activity. There is no cure for Congestive Heart Failure but there should be discussions on palliative care and other options for comfort. The cardiologist will devise the care plan.

Preventing or stalling Congestive Heart Failure begins with treating high blood pressure and monitoring symptoms. Maintaining fluid balance and limiting salt intake and taking medications as needed is strongly recommended as is regularly seeing the doctor. This will hopefully slow the progression of the condition and /or maintain a level of balance in the life of the patient.

Lana B. Wingate, MSN, RN

Parish Nurse, King of Glory Lutheran Church

Williamsburg, Virginia 23188 USA

Sources:

Congestive Heart Failure: Types and Stages Cardiovascular Institute of the So. Houma,

Louisiana, USA (Online)

Congestive Heart Failure, 1-4 Symptoms and Causes: MedicalNewsToday(Online)

Heart Failure(CHF) Symptoms and Treatment: The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Congestive Heart Failure and Heart Diseases: WebMD( Online)