Congestive heart failure: It's common but gets less press

If you’re like most people, you’re aware of the risks and symptoms of high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attacks and stroke. All of these conditions get a myriad of media attention on a daily basis. One condition that doesn’t receive the media attention that it deserves is congestive heart failure.

As a disability examiner working on social security disability and SSI claims, I actually saw CHF listed on disability applications quite a bit. In fact, it was so common to see it listed that I am a little surprised by how little attention CHF gets in the media, particularly when the subject of SSD and SSI benefits comes up.

Congestive heart failure is more common than one might think and especially affects those with heart disease, heart attack survivors and those over the age of 65. Many people have no idea that they have the condition, which can be caused by poorly controlled cardiovascular conditions, such as high blood pressure.

The symptoms of congestive heart failure can be mild to debilitating: weakness, shortness of breath and feeling tired are the main symptoms.

Congestive heart failure happens when the heart has sustained some damage that makes it difficult to pump blood. This can cause fluid buildup in the body, from the lungs to the limbs, which causes the entire body to slow down and suffer from poor blood circulation.

Congestive heart failure affects all organs, from the brain to the kidneys and in turn, causes tiredness and weakness. This may be marked by mental fogginess or confusion, or can be as challenging as not being able to effectively carry simple objects such as a purse or a book, when walking.

It has been noted that those with congestive heart failure are more prone to suffer falling injuries, dementia and urinary incontinence.









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