Contending with Congestive Heart Failure
Author: Debbie Humphrey
One senior man we assist has Parkinson’s disease (PD) and congestive heart failure (CHF). He also shows signs of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Sundowners, which are contributing to his decline in recent months.
Our client has had at least one heart attack and undergone open-heart surgery in which he received stints to improve cardiovascular function. His cardiologist has informed the family that he will likely succumb to congestive heart failure before his Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s reaches the end stages.
Over the last 15 years at Home Helpers, we have helped several seniors with congestive heart failure, and each case has been a learning experience for our caregivers. 6 million people in the United States contend with congestive heart failure and it is the leading cause of hospitalization among seniors, making it an important topic during American Heart Month.
What is Congestive Heart Failure?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Congestive heart failure is a long-term condition that happens when your heart can’t pump blood well enough to give your body a normal supply. Blood and fluids collect in your lungs and legs over time. Medications and other treatments help manage symptoms like swelling. Congestive heart failure is life-limiting for many.”
Causes of Congestive Heart Failure
- Coronary artery disease and/or heart attack
- Cardiomyopathy (genetic or viral)
- Heart issues present at birth (congenital heart disease)
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Arrhythmia
- Kidney disease
- A body mass index (BMI) higher than 30
- Tobacco and recreational drug use
- Alcohol use
- Medications such as cancer drugs (chemotherapy)
Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure
- Shortness of breath
- Waking up short of breath at night
- Chest pain
- Heart palpitations
- Fatigue when you’re active
- Swelling in your ankles, legs and abdomen
- Weight gain
- Need to urinate while resting at night
- A dry, hacking cough
- A bloated or hard stomach
- Loss of appetite or upset stomach (nausea)
“Sometimes, you may have mild symptoms of congestive heart failure or none at all. This doesn’t mean you don’t have heart failure anymore. Symptoms of heart failure can range from mild to severe and may come and go. Unfortunately, congestive heart failure usually gets worse over time. As it worsens, you may have more or different signs or symptoms,” explains the Cleveland Clinic.
Risk Factors for Congestive Heart Failure
- Being older than 65.
- Using tobacco products, cocaine or alcohol.
- Having an inactive (sedentary) lifestyle.
- Eating foods that have a lot of salt and fat.
- Having high blood pressure.
- Having coronary artery disease.
- Having a heart attack.
- Having a family history of congestive heart failure.
Complications of congestive heart failure
- Irregular heartbeat
- Sudden cardiac arrest
- Heart valve problems
- Fluid in the lungs
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Kidney damage
- Liver damage
- Malnutrition
How to Prevent Congestive Heart Failure
It’s impossible to change risk factors like age, family history, or race, but lifestyle changes offer the best chance of preventing heart failure.
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat heart-healthy foods
- Exercise regularly
- Manage stress
- Stop using tobacco products
- Avoid alcohol
- Avoid recreational drug use
- Take care of other medical conditions that can increase your risk
Treatment for Congestive Heart Failure
Treatment plans vary depending on the type of congestive heart failure, but medications and lifestyle changes play an important role.
Cleveland Clinic says, “There’s no cure for heart failure. As congestive heart failure gets worse, your heart muscle pumps less blood to your organs, and you move toward the next stage of heart failure. Since you can’t move backward through the heart failure stages, the goal of treatment is to keep you from moving forward through the stages or to slow down the progression of your heart failure.
If you or a senior loved one suffers from congestive heart failure and could benefit from in-home care services for a better quality of life, I gladly offer a FREE Consultation to complete an assessment so I can create a personalized care plan and match the perfect caregiver to make life easier.
Home Helpers® professional caregivers provide non-medical assistance and support with companion care, heart-healthy meal planning and preparation, recuperative care, personal care, homemaker services, respite care, specialized Alzheimer’s and dementia care, wellness calls, medication reminders, and so much more.
We, at Home Helpers® Clearwater, are honored to have been ranked among the Home Care Pulse Top 100 Leaders in Experience for home care providers in 2025 and to have received the Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice Award 2025, the Best of Home Care® Employer of Choice Award 2025, and the Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience Award 2025, along with the Caring Super Star 2025 Award.
We proudly serve male and female seniors, veterans, and differently abled individuals in Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Dunedin, Holiday, Hudson, Largo, New Port Richey, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor, Port Richey, Safety Harbor, Saint Petersburg, Seminole, Tarpon Springs, Trinity, and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier® 727.942.2539
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