Epidemiology
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is defined as a condition in which the heart fails to pump blood inadequately to meet the needs of the body. Many diseases are associated with impairing the heart’s pumping ability causing CHF. Symptoms of the condition may vary from one case to another, common symptoms include; shortness of breath, edema, reduced exercise capacity, and fatigue. Disease or abnormalities of the heart structure or heart functioning are the major risk factors in CHF. Examples are coronary artery disease, heart valves disorders, stiffened heart muscles from viral infections, and heart rhythm abnormalities. Hypertension extended alcohol abuse and other idiopathic causes like myocarditis may increase the chances of CHF. The prevalence of the condition is estimated to be between 1.5% and 2% of the total population in the US (Friedberg, 2017). Probability of CHF increases as age progresses. For middle-aged adults, the statistics indicate a prevalence of 1.4% to 1.9%. For the elderly, aged 80 years and above, the prevalence of the condition is from 13% to 14.5%. Statistics indicate the numbers are rising each year. CHF is a global disease that needs to be addressed.
Pathophysiology
CFH constitutes a complicated syndrome where starting myocardial insult leads to the over-expression of some peptides with different short and prolonged effects on the cardiovascular system (Friedberg, 2017). Neurohormonal activation plays an important role in acquiring as well as the progression of CHF. With the progression of the disease, remodeling of the ventricles and altering of the shape, size, and functioning of the heart progresses the symptoms of the condition. According to Friedberg (2017), the Framingham clinical criterion has been used as the clinical presentation of the condition for four decades now. Acknowledging the progressive nature of the disease has helped classify the stages of CHF into four stages. Stages A, the first stage patients, are at a high risk of developing the condition because of the presence of conditions associated with CHF. Stage B patients have structural heart disease but have never had congestive heart failure. Stage C patients have current or prior symptoms of heart failure while stage D patients are at an advanced stage of heart failure and require special interventions like a heart transplant.
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Emerging Trends and Treatments
Calcium-sensitizing agents have been discovered to reduce the mortality rates of heart failure patients in hospitals. These agents achieve this by improving myocardial ability to contract. Current research indicates that the addition of n-3 polyunsaturated results in a significant improvement in the survival rate of patients with CHF. Other emerging treatments of the condition include; statin therapy, non-specific immunomodulation therapy, recombinant human growth hormone, stem-cell therapy, and gene therapy (Stromberg, 2015). Fervent investigation on the use of mechanical devices that assist in the blood circulation of patients with progressed heart failure symptoms is ongoing. With possibilities of supportive circulatory assisting devices on the horizon, mortality rates due to CFH may reduce drastically.
Cultural Sensitive Care
Due to the condition’s prevalence on the elderly, expanding CHF care services to elderly homes has been encouraged with the aim of promoting culturally sensitive care (Stromberg, 2015). As stated earlier, CHF affects people from all cultures. In regards to this, many health facilities ensure that healthcare facility staffs tending to CHF patients are diverse enough to promote communication and trust in the hospital. Extending services to culturally dense cities also promote sensitive care of CHF patients.
References
Friedberg, C. (2017). Congestive Heart Failure .
Stromberg, A. (2015). Caring for Patients With Chronic Heart Failure .
