Class 14 Flashcards
What is CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE (CHF)?
Weakness or failure of heart in its function as pump for cardiovascular system. When heart is not strong enough to meet challenges of its role, functions like tissue nutrition & waste clearance, blood filtration & re-oxygenation, etc. are impaired.
Can be acute, eg. in severe pump failure during heart attack or as result of an overwhelming peripheral resistance event such as large pulmonary embolism or acute kidney failure.
In most instances, as in case of patients being seen in massage therapy practice, chronic, meaning heart failure is slower, more gradual process of pump
weakening. In some cases, there is fairly relentless progression & in others stabilizes or can even be improved with better fitness & healthier living
