Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition
that occurs when the heart is too weak to adequately circulate
blood. In the case of left-sided heart failure, pulmonary edema
occurs as blood backs up into the lungs. This increases the amount
of fluid in the alveoli of the lung and results in shortness of
breath. CHF can be brought on by an AMI.
Signs of left-sided CHF include:
fatigue
cough
dyspnea
pulmonary edema (a severe form of CHF)
tachypnea
agitation and confusion
hypertension
swollen feet or lower legs
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Elaboration— How CHF Occurs (Left-sided Heart Failure)
Left-sided congestive heart failure occurs when
a damaged left ventricle cannot keep up with the
return flow of blood being pushed through the lungs.
The lungs become congested with fluid. Below are
the typical steps that occur in this process.
Acute myocardial infarction damages the left
ventricle.
A weakened left ventricle is unable
to pump blood effectively throughout the body.
The blood and fluid backs up into the pulmonary
veins and lungs.
This fluid in the lungs reduces
gaseous exchange in the alveoli (pulmonary edema).
Hypoxia results due to inadequate oxygenation of
the blood.
