Congestive Cardiac Failure What is Congestive Cardiac Failure? This is a condition where the heart’s pumping power is weaker than normal, so it is unable to pump enough nutrients and oxygen to all parts of the body. To make up for this, the heart gets thicker or stiffer, making the heart muscle walls weaker and not pump effectively over time. The kidneys also start to retain water and salt. If water builds up in your legs, arms, lungs or other organs, the body becomes overloaded. This results in congestive cardiac failure (CCF).
What causes it? Several conditions can damage the heart muscle, such as: • Coronary artery disease • Heart attack • Hypertension • Congenital heart defect • Irregular heartbeat What are the signs? • Shortness of breath while exercising or at rest • Constant coughing • Swelling in your legs, ankles or feet • Feeling tired easily • Irregular heartbeat • Poor tolerance to activity, becoming tired and breathless easily • Urinating more at night • Sudden weight gain • Chest pain or discomfort