Congestive Heart Failure Specialist
-
- Tweet
A&U Family Medicine
Family Medicine located in Riverstone, Sugar Land, TX
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and about 5.7 million adults in the U.S. suffer from heart failure. If you experience symptoms of congestive heart failure, such as shortness of breath or fluid retention, Hammad Zaidi, MD, and his experienced family medicine team are here for you. At A&U Family Medicine in Sugar Land, Texas, they detect, treat, and manage your disease to help you live a long, fulfilling life. Call A&U Family Medicine for an appointment or use the online booking tool today.
Congestive Heart Failure
What is congestive heart failure?
Heart failure, or congestive heart failure, happens when your heart doesn’t pump blood as efficiently as it’s supposed to. If you experience symptoms of heart failure, it’s important to seek medical care right away to prevent serious complications. Doing so can drastically improve your quality of life and extend your life expectancy.
What are the symptoms of congestive heart failure?
The following symptoms may indicate congestive heart failure:
- Fatigue or weakness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Shortness of breath or chest pain
- Swelling in your legs, feet, or abdomen
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat
- Difficulty exercising
- Persistent wheezing or coughing
- Nausea or lack of appetite
- An increased need to urinate at night
- Weight gain from fluid retention
Congestive heart failure is serious when left untreated. If you have symptoms of the disease, schedule an appointment with Dr. Zaidi and his team right away. Call 911 if you experience signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain, faintness, severe weakness, and sudden, severe shortness of breath.
What are the risk factors for congestive heart failure?
Having one or more of the following risk factors increases your risk of congestive heart failure:
- Diabetes
- Coronary artery disease
- Congenital heart defects
- High blood pressure
- A previous heart attack
- Sleep apnea
- Certain viral infections
- Alcohol and tobacco use
- Obesity
If left untreated, congestive heart failure can lead to kidney damage or failure, liver damage, heart rhythm problems, or heart valve problems.
How is congestive heart failure diagnosed?
To diagnose congestive heart failure if you’re at risk or experience symptoms of the disease, Dr. Zaidi reviews your medical history and completes a physical exam. He may use blood tests, imaging tests, an electrocardiogram (EKG), echocardiogram, stress tests, or other heart or blood vessel diagnostic tests.
What is the treatment for congestive heart failure?
Dr. Zaidi creates a personalized congestive heart failure treatment plan based on your unique needs and the severity of your condition. He might suggest:
- Lifestyle changes
- Medications
- Managing diabetes and other chronic diseases
- Coronary bypass surgery
- Medical device implantation
- Heart valve repair or replacement
- A heart transplant
Lifestyle changes that can prevent or reduce the severity of congestive heart failure include not smoking, eating a healthy diet low in sodium, staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, and reducing stress.
If your condition is serious and requires heart or blood vessel surgery, Dr. Zaidi refers you to a qualified specialist in your area.
Don’t let congestive heart failure go untreated and lead to serious health problems. Schedule an appointment with A&U Family Medicine over the phone or online today.
