CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE

Course overview

HEART FAILURE IS A COMPLEX CLINICAL SYNDROME IN WHICH THE HEART CANNOT PUMP ENOUGH BLOOD TO MEET THE BODY'S REQUIREMENTS. IT RESULTS FROM ANY DISORDER THAT IMPAIRS VENTRICULAR FILLING OR EJECTION OF BLOOD TO THE SYSTEMIC CIRCULATION. PATIENTS USUALLY PRESENT WITH FATIGUE AND DYSPNEA, REDUCED EXERCISE TOLERANCE, AND FLUID RETENTION (PULMONARY AND PERIPHERAL EDEMA). THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE HEALTHCARE TEAM IN IMPROVING CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH THIS CONDITION.