People of all ages and both sexes can have congestive heart failure

Elizabeth Taylor died of congestive heart failure (CHF) at the age of 79 on March 23. Her death raises awareness of this serious condition that affects an estimated five million Americans.

Congestive heart failure means that the heart muscle cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. CHF may develop over a long period of time, sometimes over years, or almost immediately.

"There are many different reasons that CHF occurs," says Ali Tabrizchi, MD, an interventional cardiologist at the Heart Center at Sinai in Baltimore. "Genetics, which are passed down through families, as well lifestyle choices, can be to blame."

Among the possible causes:
-Coronary artery disease
-Problems with the heart's valves
-Thyroid conditions
-A heart attack
-High blood pressure
-High cholesterol
-Obesity
-Diabetes
-An infection of the heart muscle
-Vitamin deficiencies

People of all ages and of both sexes can have congestive heart failure. Among some of people who died from it are actress/dancer- Ginger Rogers, make up founder- Max Factor Junior, jazz musician - Lionel Hampton, NBA center- Kevin Duckworth and actor-Andy Hallett-from "Angel."

Chest pain is only one possible symptom of a heart problem. Other symptoms can be:
-Feeling constantly tired or weak
-Experiencing dizzy spells
-Urinating frequent during the night
-Having problems breathing when lying down
-Having shortness of breath, wheezing or coughing when you exert yourself
-Swelling of your ankles or feet
-Waking at night coughing or short of breath.

Adds Dr. Tabrizchi, "Through intensive treatment, outpatient management and education, many patients improve their health quality of life."

Based on examinations and tests, your physician will develop a treatment plan to relieve for you, which can include:
-Increased activity as recommended
-Dietary changes to reduce intake of salt and sodium
-Medication to help the heart work better
-Rest to give the heart a break
-Referral for heart transplantation