An Abuja-based medical practitioner, Dr Okezie Emenike, on Wednesday, said heart-related disease such as high blood pressure increases the risk of developing congestive heart failure.
Emenike said this in Abuja.
He described congestive heart failure as chronic progressive condition that affects the pumping power of the heart muscles.
He said it could also be referred to as a stage where fluids build up around the heart, thereby causing it to pump inadequately.
According to him, congestive heart failure can affect the right or left hand side of the heart or both but that it mostly begins from the left.
The medical practitioner explained that congestive heart disease could also develop when the ventricles couldn’t pump blood in sufficient volume to the body.
He said it generally occurred when there was blood build-up or congestion in the liver, lungs, abdomen, among others.
He noted that individuals suffering from coronary artery disease, hypertension, as well as faulty heart valve, were at risk of developing the condition.
He added that diabetes, thyroid disease and obesity were other factors that could predispose one to congestive heart failure.
The medic said “irregular heartbeat, heart attack, severe viral infection and allergic reactions also contribute to the condition.
“Damage to the heart muscle resulting from alcohol abuse, tobacco use and toxic effect from drugs as well as genetic factors are contributory factors to congestive heart failure development.
“Also, inflammation of the heart muscle , abnormal heart beat , hyperthyroidism , blood clots in the lungs and use of certain medications predispose an individual to develop the condition.’’
Emenike stressed that prevention start from having healthy life style, as well as controlling existing health problems such as diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, among others.
He said “eating heart-healthy foods such as vegetables, fruits, fish and foods that are low in saturated fat helps to prevent heart failure.
“Avoiding second hand smoke, smoking, limit alcohol and sugar are other ways of preventing the development of the condition.’’
He advised regular exercise and maintaining healthy weight as measures of preventing the development of congestive heart failure.
He, however, mentioned that treatment should begin with knowing the cause of the condition, as well as how far it had progressed in order to proffer solution.
He suggested the use of some medications such as angiotensin, adding that it helps to open up narrow blood vessels, thereby aiding blood flow into the heart.
He also recommended the use of Beta-blockers which helps to lower blood pressure and slow a rapid heartbeat.
The physician further added that in case medications were not effective, surgery could be required to open up blocked arteries, among others.
He urged individuals susceptible to health conditions such as shortness of breath, high blood pressure and kidney and lung diseases to seek medical help to avoid the development of congestive heart failure.
