Abstract
This paper explains that, in congestive heart failure, the blood flow, which normally comes from the heart, is slowed down; therefore, the blood, which is coming through the veins and returning to the heart, often backs up, causing swelling in various tissues and in the lungs; this is a serious problem. The author points out that there are genetic and congenital risk factors for congestive heart failure, and not all of them can be controlled. Other factors, such as quitting smoking, getting blood pressure and diabetes under control, losing weight, and watching one's diet, can be controlled, however. The paper relates that nursing care can help patients deal with their condition, especially in the areas of their greatest concern, which include activity, lack of knowledge about the condition, and pain management.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Disease Condition
Treatment
Conclusion

From the Paper
"There are many different instruments and other medical tactics used to diagnose congestive heart failure. Obtaining a complete and thorough clinical history for the patient is the first step towards this diagnosis. Once this has been completed, the patient is usually placed in a classification based on how severe their suspected congestive heart failure is and what they can and cannot do on a normal basis. A complete physical is also performed. Being able to diagnose congestive heart failure in someone who is elderly is sometimes difficult because anorexia, anxiety, and other seemingly odd problems that are considered to be atypical of congestive heart failure are the things that are seen most often in this age group."

Tags:women, swelling, lung, risk, treatment

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss and analyze the topic of heart disease. Specifically, the paper discusses the causes of congestive heart failure (CHF) and its affects on the body. Heart failure is a leading cause of illness and death in America today. It looks at how congestive heart failure can weaken the body and the person until that person can no longer function and how it can lead to several other debilitating diseases.

From the Paper
"There are also several different birth and other physical conditions that can eventually lead to CHF. These include congenital heart disease that is present at birth (also called birth defects), abnormal heart valves, which can result from disease or infection, and heart muscle disease, which can also come from disease but can also occur as a result of substance abuse. Other conditions include anemia, an overactive thyroid gland, or abnormal heart rhythm. Some of these conditions come from health problems, and some are simply genetic. Therefore, there are a wide variety of causes of CHF, and Americans should be aware of high-risk lifestyles that can lead to increased instances of CHF. "

Tags:rhythm, genetic, congenital, death

Abstract
This paper provides a discussion of each section of the medical model (signs, symptoms, diagnosis, testing, therapy, treatment, treatment evaluation, and prognosis) as it relates to congestive heart failure.

From the Paper
"The medical model focuses on the physical and biological elements of specific diseases and conditions. Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition that occurs because the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to other body organs. Signs are the physical outcome of a condition. For CHF, physical manifestations include irregular, rapid heartbeat, distended neck veins, swollen liver, limb edema and fluid buildup around the lungs. Symptoms are the things a patient experiences about the condition. Unlike signs they..."

Tags:healthcare, physicians, heart disease, CHF, ACE inhibitors, edema, organ failure

Abstract
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to other organs because one or both ventricles are not filled. There is abnormal diastolic and normal systolic function at rest (Satpathy & Mishra, 2006). Redfield (2004, p. 1930) defines heart failure as "a progressive syndrome characterized by complex cardiac and systemic adaptations that vary over time". The risk for CHF increases with age. Symptoms can be edema in the ankle and legs, shortness of breath (American Heart Association, 2008). Other symptoms may be fatigue, dyspnea on exertion, tachycardia, abnormal heart sounds, and distention of the jugular veins.

From the Paper
Congestive Heart Failure Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to other organs because one or both ventricles are not filled. There is abnormal diastolic and normal systolic function at rest (Satpathy & Mishra, 2006). Redfield (2004, p. 1930) defines heart failure as "a progressive syndrome characterized by complex cardiac and systemic adaptations that vary over time". The risk for CHF increases with age. Symptoms can be edema in the ankle and legs, shortness of breath (American Heart Association, 2008). Other symptoms may be fatigue, dyspnea on exertion, tachycardia, abnormal heart sounds, and distention of the

Tags:diagnosis, causes, treatment

Abstract
This paper discusses how nonadherence to treatment regimens due to depression is the most well-documented mechanism by which depression produces adverse outcomes in coronary artery disease. The paper then explains what is meant by congestive heart failure (CHF). Next, the paper sites research into cytokines in terms of understanding disease and brain-body integration and interaction in depression and heart failure.

From the Paper
"It is reported that cytokines impact upon the nervous and endocrine system effectively shut the circuit between the immune system and brain giving rise to the indication that neural-immune interactions are bidirectional. IL-1 and IL-6 exert potent enhancing effects on the HPA axis by stimulating hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which is capable of activating the neuroendocrine cascade, resulting in increased pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone and glucocorticoid release."

Tags:pathogenesis comorbidity cytokines nonadherence, neurohumoral factors

Abstract
This paper gives an in-depth consideration of the pathological relationship between atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and congestive heart failure. The paper further explores the use of cardiac hormones which is gaining wider acceptance as a useful clinical and subclinical marker for impending heart failure. It then explains how ANP's are released and their impact on the cardiovascular system.

From the Paper
"The cardiovascular system is complex not only in its amazing capacity to adapt to a broad range of hemodynamic challenges and insults but also in its multiple physiologic roles. From a rest state, everyday physical exertion to the vigorous demands of exercise, the cardiovascular system is able to adjust to perfuse all organ systems adequately and without fail within seconds of the stimulus. It is also able to adjust to long-term stressors in order to maintain nominal perfusion to all organ systems. While its primary physiologic role of the heart as a circulating pump is its most prominent feature, its interesting role as an endocrine organ is..."

Tags:anp, heart, failure

Abstract
This paper analyzes the article "Pilot Study of a Web-based Compliance Monitoring Device for Patients with Congestive Heart Failure," written by NT Artinian, JK Harden, MW Kronenberg, JS Vander Wal, E Daher, Q Stephens, et al. It describes the purpose and hypotheses of the study and discusses the study variables. The paper then reviews the related literature and analyzes the study design as presented in the article.

Table of Contents:
Problem
Study Purpose
Research Question(s)
Hypothesis/hypotheses
Study Variables
Conceptual Model/Theoretical Framework
Review of Related Literature
Study Design
Sample and Setting
Identification and Control of Extraneous Variables
Study Instruments/Tools
Data Collection Methods
Data Analysis Procedures
Strengths/Limitations

From the Paper
"The support provided for the validity of the study instruments was adequate for use in this study and employed the Chronbach alpha reliability coefficient. The scales were appropriate for this study in that they were specifically made for CHF patients and possessed specific subscales appropriate for measuring quality of life in this study. The validity of the Revised Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior Scale was carried out for this particular study by a panel consisting of two nurse practitioners and two experts in self-care. Using the average Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient across times was 0.81 (Artinian, Harden, Kronenberg, Vander Wal, Daher, Stephens et al, 2003)."

Tags:CHF, hypothesis, design, care

Abstract
This paper explores ideas regarding nursing management of patients with congestive heart failure. In particular, the paper explores ideas for nursing management regarding appropriate medical evaluation, medication, administration, monitoring, and patient education.

From the Paper
"Congestive heart failure is often congenital in nature. Congestive heart failure usually manifests when the cardiac muscle is old and tired and stops circulating properly. This may result from damage to the heart; alternatively myocarditis and cardio myopathy may be present which might lead to congestive heart failure. Heart attacks that end up killing part of the heart tissue and this can also lead to congestive heart failure."

Tags:deterioration, circulate, oxygenated, blood, right, sided, left, systemic, back, up, edema

Abstract
This paper, written by a registered nurse, analyzes congestive heart failure and provides a detailed discussion about treatment options. In particular, the author discusses the use of Spironolactone, and offers statistical as well as anecdotal evidence about its.

From the Paper
"This article proposes the treatment solution of Spironolactone, a known "specialized antagonist of aldosterone" (Margo, npg)by using this drug patients can reduce their risk of mortality because it, "causes increased amounts of water and sodium to be excreted while potassium is conserved" (Margo, npg). The problem with this drug is that its effectiveness has not been adequately proven, although previous tests show that it has a positive effect on patients, not only the sample size in the article but the ethnic groups used in the experiment are greatly biased and do not reflect it as a treatment potent for all types of people. Furthermore, tests on its effectiveness compared to standard treatments did not include beta blockers which is an effect treatment already identified. This article does not adequately address the testing procedure."

Tags:Spironolactone, medicine, doctor, patient, cardiac, kidneys

Abstract
The paper discusses treatment for congestive heart failure that consists of lifestyle modifications and medications. The paper explores the medications that include diuretics, beta-blockers, Digitalis or Digoxin and ACE inhibitors. The paper outlines their beneficial effects as well as potential side effects.

Outline:
Introduction
Treatments

From the Paper
"Congestive heart failure happens when the heart is unable to pump sufficient oxygen to the body in order to meet its needs (Kulick et al 2007, Drug Digest 2007). It can be caused by diseases, which weaken or stiffen the heart muscles or increase oxygen demand by any tissue in the body beyond what the heart can deliver. The right and left atria or upper chambers, which pump blood, can be weakened by a systolic dysfunction, such as a heart attack or myocarditis, an infection. The right and left ventricles or lower chambers are involved in relaxing the heart muscles. They can be affected by diastolic dysfunction, such as hemochromatosis, which stiffens the heart muscles. A high demand for oxygen may be due to conditions like hyperthyroidism and result in high-output heart failure (Kulick et al, Drug Digest)."

Tags:diuretics, beta-blockers, digitalis, or, digoxin, ACE, inhibitors, transplant