Stages of Congestive Heart Failure - Stage C

Stage C of Congestive Heart Failure is one that presents the classic symptoms of heart failure. How do you know if you are in Stage C? What are the treatments, and more importantly, what should you ask your doctor about stage C heart failure? All of these are answered in this video.

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Disclaimer: If you think you are having a medical emergency, call an ambulance or go to your nearest emergency department. This video is for informational purposes and to help you formulate questions for your healthcare provider(s) only. The opinions expressed are not to be used to guide your care. Discuss any new, changes, or discontinuation of your treatment(s) with your healthcare provider before implementing them. You are solely responsible for any results if you choose to change any aspect of your care without permission from your health care provider.

[HectorMartinez-gykp]

Ive been at at stage 3 for over 5 years. I run 4 miles every other day. I went from a ef 09 to a 55 on a crt device. My hearts so deformed I have a lbbb but I push on. Weight train and cardio 5 days a week. Never give up.

[dianafarinelli]

I have Diastolic Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction. I have been at Stage C for about 5 years. I am on Social Security Disability. I can no longer work at any job or do much at all, due to the shortness of breath with ANY exertion. I began working at the age of 11, until I got sick at the age of 54. I am NOT a candidate for a Heart Transplant. I have many Doctors & I am on many medications. I am so sick of being sick & going to the hospital often. I take it day by day, but I recently have given up fighting, because I am just too tired to do so. I am at peace & ready to go whenever that may be. My Heart Failure has affected many of my other organs in my body also.

Prior to getting sick, I would have thought that I would have had a good support system from my immediate family, siblings, & close friends; but I am sad to say that I have had neither since being initially diagnosed. So many of my relationships have suffered. Apparently, because “I don’t look sick, ” it is like no one believes you. I think that has been the saddest part of being a Heart Failure Patient. No one cared enough to look up & learn about Heart Failure to be of any assistance to me.

Actually, most people do not know or understand what Heart Failure really is. However, most people know what a Heart Attack is, not understanding that these are two different issues. In most cases, once a individual has recovered from a Heart Attack, that individual can return to a mostly normal life, like going back to work. A Heart Failure patient is different, depending upon the symptoms & Stage; even though a Heart Failure Patient “can look good.”

It is a shame that the general public is not given more knowledge about Heart Failure by the American Heart Association & other Various Public Organizations. Also, Doctors should be required to learn in Medical School more about Heart Failure in general. If knowledge of Heart Failure was somewhat commonplace, then maybe everyone would have more empathy for individuals with Heart Failure & not blow these individuals off because they “do not look sick.”

Families, siblings & close friends would have a better understanding of Heart Failure & how it affects that individual’s life & Doctors in general could identify the symptoms of Heart Failure, hopefully early enough, so that they may direct a patient to a Cardiologist or Heart Failure Doctor immediately, instead of thinking that a patient is faking their symptoms or that the individual looks to good or healthy to have a Heart Failure issue.

I thank you for posting these You Tube Videos, so that individuals & maybe even Doctors, may learn & become more aware of Heart Failure.

[backwoodshunter.]

Don’t let people tell you that CHF isn’t reversible. In some situations it is. I was diagnosed with stage 3 (C) CHF about 6 months ago. My ejection fraction was 20% and I was on the fast track to needing a transplant. Since then I have completely changed my diet to a heart healthy diet and have focused on exercise. My EF went from originally 20% to 30% to 45% and at my most recent appointment was 50%. I’ve had 3 cardiologists look at me and they say I am not in heart failure anymore

[mb]

You are doing a public service. You are an excellent example of a patient as health educator. I am an a county health clinic manager & it pains me & staff to see patients who simply do not know what is happening w/ their conditions. Unfortunately, public/governmental health facilities must focus on critical care needs in a system that is chronically Insufficiently funded.
A session w/ you at a place of worship, the public library, community recreation meeting room, someone’s yard…..makes a big difference in how hard working people can be successful in managing CHF, diabetes, hypertension….. conditions that place us at risk for CHF.

We know patients who manage their conditions do far better than those who do not with the added bonus to public & private health insurance can save billions due to a smaller number of patients requiring more advanced & costly care.

[suziquestionable]

Thank you for the detailed information on congestive heart failure .

[sandracape]

Enjoyed this very much . I'm in heart failure and try to read everything I can . I'm in C with part of my heart that is hard . I keep doing what I can every day . Lots of praying 😊

[Kiwi]

The first half of 'Take Care of Yourself' You talked us through an excellent set of suggestions, beginning with 'You have entered a critical point...' this was the wake up call I needed to hear. I've been in denial while the ship sank. I wrote out that simple list and magnetted it to the fridge. I'm doing it!

[kathym]

I went into Lowe's Home Improvement yesterday and nearly couldn't make it home. Guessing I have Stage C I find toxic air, like at the Post Office also, to be unbearable. Here's what Google Ai says: To avoid toxic air if you have congestive heart failure (CHF), regularly check the Air Quality Index (AQI) in your area and limit outdoor activity when air pollution levels are high, especially during peak traffic times, and consider staying indoors with air filtration when air quality is poor; this is because air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter, can significantly worsen CHF symptoms and increase the risk of cardiovascular complications.

[kellytaylor]

Excellent reminder to myself. I have diastolic heart failure and recently received a dual chamber pacemaker. I receive little to no ongoing education. Fundamental Reminders of things we “should” know can really help the muscle memory. Especially as we age. I was diagnosed with HF following a heart attack immediately (within minutes) of receiving the debated vaxx that I received in 2021. I suffered from many infections, MRSA, and staff prior to the pacemaker. 5 months in, it’s amazing what your body can do to heal itself with enough oxygen getting to your extremities. I am 61 years old. Again, thank you.

[joycehandersonfriends]

The whole reason I watched this video was to see a list of symptoms of stage 3!! Where are they?

[cindypatrick]

My husband is 74 and was already disabled since age 62 due to numerous back, neck, knee surgeries.
In 2019 had to have 70 lbs of fluids drawn off before he could even have the mitral valve clip surgery.
He was diagnosed then w chf.
In February he had heart catherization and had quite a bit of fluids around his heart and was in AFib.
He came home with heart function of 30% and has to wear an external defibrillator life vest until May when they will do another echocardiogram.
He’s on 4 heart meds, lasix and doing physical therapy twice a week( 30 minute sessions)to try and strengthen his body.
His legs aren’t swelling right now but they stay a deep purple color and his hands stay ice cold.
Is he stage C or close to D?
Thank you for educating this spouse/caregiver 😔 8:36

[gardenlover]

Thank you for the encouragement "Don't give up!". I am at stage 3 CHF. Last mid-Sept 2022 a defrib/pacemaker is implanted. I am into meds for my therapy and regular heart control with my cardio.

[donnastitz]

Diana Farinelli. thank U 4 UR comment. Maybe I can get my family to read it. I'm going into stage C Diastolic same as U now. I can not breath to walk from one room to another & I can sleep 24 hrs a day. I am exhusted.I feel everyone thinks I'm just being selfish bc I don't want to go anywhere Or see anyone bc I don't even have the strength to shower. I CAN'T get out of bed. But I have bipolar disorder so everyone is blaming it on depression & thinks I'm not trying hard enough to get out of it. I feel like I should be in hospice. & I "AM" depressed & I don't want to have a heart transplant or be put on life support. All I can do is sleep, then have my loved ones not happy w me. & when I get out of bed, I take a few steps, I feel like I ran a marathon. I hope U R feeling well weather U R still alive or in the next life. God Bless U !!!!

[sandrastevens]

Really got some good information. I'm in stage c and my fraction was 35 to, 40 and now is 25. I'm 76 so can't get a transplant.

[suziquestionable]

Thank-you for your excellent information, Chris.😅

[philoleary]

Once again clear and valuable advise I really appreciate what you have put together.

[lynette]

💥My friend, who has heart failure, was treated by a very good cardiologist, but who NEGLECTED to tell him that the most prominent symptom of heart failure is EXCESSIVE THIRST but that trying to quench that thirst by drinking lots of water is POISON to the patient with heart failure. He was dri king about 5 liters of water a day, and his condition got WORSE. LUCKILY he went for a second opinion and the FIRST QUESTION the second professor asked is HOW MUCH FLUIDS ARE YOU TAKING. He explained that heart failure makes a patient VERY VERY THIRSTY but that no matter how much you drink, you WILL STAY THIRSTY, therefore you keep drinking which leads to your lungs and heart being flooded....it is PURE POISON to your heart - he even compared it to taking an arsenic pill every time you are thirsty! What you have to keep in mind is that NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU DRINK, you are going to STAY THIRSTY...therefore limiting your fluid intake to NO MORE THAN 1500 milliliters (1 and a half liters) at the most, per day, will tough, but you MUST REMEMBER even IF you drink, you will stay thirsty ANYWAY. So it is a MENTAL CHALLENGE. And he says the immediate RELIEF in feeling bad all day, fatigue, pins and needles all over body, shortness of breath, heart cramps, etc (all due to WATER FLOODING YOUR HEART),
will motivate you in curbing your water intake drastically. It is a matter of choosing life or death. Also, if you have kidney pain, check your potassium intske...some doctors prescribe extra potassium, which could affect tour kidneys in a bad way IF your kidneys are already not working optimally._

[ivanhicks]

Excellent Presentation Thankyou -- I have a friend at Stage "C "and I am 91 - Something Anytime -

[ednorton]

This video was so lengthy, that I went from Class C to Class D before I got to the end.

[TheresaGraf]

If you're on diuretics you need MORE salt. The lie of salt restriction has to end!