How Does
Last Stages of Congestive Heart Failure
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By eHow Contributing Writer
Congestive Heart Failure
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Congestive heart failure is not an illness, but symptoms of an illness. It occurs when the heart cannot transport enough blood to the rest of the body. The word congestive is due to the fluid that develops in the lungs during the symptoms. As long as you have a disease causing the heart to operate at less than full capacity, you have congestive heart failure. If the heart is repaired through surgery or other means, then the symptoms connected with CHF will disappear. The symptoms that you should look for are dizziness, breathing problems, swollen extremities, exhaustion, and difficulty falling asleep.
Stage C
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There are four stages in congestive heart failure, so the last stages would be considered the last two. In Stage C, which would be considered the third stage, you have symptoms of heart failure and some form of heart disease. It could be mild such as high cholesterol or more severe like blocked arteries. If you are in this stage, it is definitely not too late. You can improve with surgery, medicine, changes in diet, and changes in life style.
Stage D
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With Stage D, or four, you are typically placed in a hospital due to the heart failure. Some might need a form of procedure such as a heart transplant or be so ill that they are place under hospice care. Those in Stage D will not normally recover unless they get a replacement or major repairs are done. The current heart is not able to function as it should and is damaged beyond repair due to being overtaxed for so long and scarring from heart attacks or other blockages.
eHow Article: Last Stages of Congestive Heart Failure