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What Is Class III Congestive Heart Failure?

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is not a disease but a symptom. When the heart is not pumping properly, or is not relaxed enough to receive more blood, fluid backs up in the lungs and causes swelling in the lower extremities.

  1. Symptoms

    • CHF can cause fatigue, dizziness, edema (swelling) and shortness of breath. It also can cause a host of other side effects, including memory loss, numbness, nausea, insomnia and lower leg or foot pain.

    Classes

    • According to the American Heart Association, classification of CHF depends on the limitations of physical activity. Class I has no limitations on physical activity. Class II has fatigue or shortness of breath during ordinary activity. In Class III, even less than ordinary activity causes symptoms, and the patient is comfortable only at rest. In Class IV, the patient is uncomfortable even at rest.

    Treatment

    • The primary medication for CHF is angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors, commonly called ACE inhibitors. Most patients must stay on ACE inhibitors for life, even if symptoms improve.

    Tests

    • CHF can be misdiagnosed as a respiratory infection, asthma or gallstones. Heart tests such as an echocardiogram or an X-ray can show an enlarged heart or its functionality. A 15-minute blood test called Triage BNP measures a hormone that effectively diagnoses CHF.

    Outlook

    • Patients with congestive heart failure can live a long time with treatment, and while they may not return to 100 percent normal function, they can regain some activity levels with careful diet and medication. Patients with arrhythmia have a greater chance--40 percent--of sudden cardiac death, according to a 2005 study funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

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