Living with congestive heart failure

Congestive heart failure is a condition in which the heart muscle is unable to pump blood fast enough to supply all the nutrients and oxygen needed by the body. According to the American Heart Journal there are about 400,000 new cases are diagnosed every year in the United States.
Symptoms include fatigue and weakness especially on exertion, and edema or swelling associated with the fluid retention.
Fluid retention in the lungs can also cause shortness of breath. The underlying causes of congestive heart failure may be acute or chronic. Acute failure is brought on by myocardial infarction or by what we know as a heart attack. Heart attacks that are silent and have no symptoms that are present can still produce heart failure. Acute heart failure can also occur after various infections of the heart muscle which are collectively known as cardiomyopathy.



Chronic congestive heart failure is usually a long-term effect of high blood pressure, heart-valve problems or pervious heart attacks. Diabetes, extreme obesity and hyperthyroidism can also cause chronic heart failure.
Also chronic lung disease such as emphysema and anemia are contributing factors.



A slow or irregular heartbeat known as arrhythmia can also be the cause of chronic heart failure.
Arrhythmia can be mild and nothing to worry about or it can be a life threatening crisis. Ventricular fibrillation is the most serious type of irregular heartbeat which is when the heart cannot pass blood into the arties because the beat is rapid uncontrolled and ineffective.



Congestive heart failure is marked by enlargement of and fluid retention. If the heart has to work too hard to it will enlarge just as other muscles enlarge during weight training. This helps the heart at first but eventually the heart muscle weakens which in turn causes the heart pumping action to decrease as a result.



The body retains fluid and sodium which aids a weakening heart which in turn increases the amount of blood in circulation. This causes edema overtime because the excess fluid seeps into the surrounding tissue.
If you have any of these symptoms you should see your physician.



Beneficial herbs to use are as follows:



Aconite is to be used only under the professional supervision in carefully regulated doses. Aconite increases heart output and it relieves shortness of breath and edema.



Arjuna is to be used in the form of capsules. You should take 500 milligrams every eight hours. Arjuna relieves pain and it helps the heart muscle cells build up energy Asparagus root is to be used in the form of a loose tea, prepared by steeping 1 teaspoon in 1 cup of water. Asparagus root increases urination and it is an appropriate replacement therapy when prescribed diuretics are discontinued. Be sure to maintain adequate potassium levels when taking this herb by taking the commercial preparation Slo-K or by beating fruits and vegetables.
Astragalus is to be used in the form of capsules. You should take 500 to 1,000 milligrams three times a day. Astragalus relieves pain on exertion.



Elecampane with guggul is to be used in the form of Pushkarmoola rasayana. The usual dose is 1 teaspoon for each fifty pounds of body weight. Elecampane with guggul relieves shortness of breath on exertion and it also gives better pain relief. Elecampane is also known as inula.



Hawthorn is to be used in the form of tablets. You should take 100 to 250 milligrams three times a day. Hawthorn improves blood flow to the heart and cardiac enzymes which measure damage to heart muscle.



Kudzu is to be used in the form tablets. You should take 10 milligrams three times a day. Kudzu improves coronary circulation and reduces the heart's need for oxygen.



Motherwort is to be used in the form of liquid extract. You should take to 1teaspoon in of a cup of water three times a day. Motherwort strengthens but does not increase the heartbeat. Motherwort is useful if a nervous condition or an overactive thyroid condition exists.



Precautions for the use of these herbs are as follows:



* Always use processed Asian aconite or Aconitum carmichaeli not the European aconite or Aconitum napellus.
Large doses over stimulate the heart and can even cause ventricular fibrillation. Calcium can reverse the effect.



* Do not use astragalus if you have a fever or a skin infection.



If you are taking any kind of medications you should consult with your physician before using any herbal remedy because certain medications can react differently when used in combination with certain herbs. You should also consult your physician if you are pregnant or breast feeding before using any herbal remedy.



*NOTE: The material in this article is not meant to take the place of diagnosis and treatment by a qualified medical practitioner. All recommendations herein contained are believed to be effective but since the actual use of herbs by other individuals is beyond the author's control, no expressed or implied guarantee as to the effects of their use can be given nor liability taken.*