1. Congestive Heart Failure

2. Cardiac output cannot keep up with venous return
The heart is not pumping as well as it should be

3. Result?
Blood backs up in the venous system increasing venous blood pressure and decreasing blood amount in the arteries
More blood is coming in than is going out

4. Heart undergoes hypertrophy
Swelling

5. ©http://www. medicalook. com/diseases_images/congestive-failure-heart©

6. Person feels lethargic, no energy
Shortness of breath
Increased pressure in the vena cave

7. Left Heart Failure: left ventricle fails causing pulmonary edema
Right Heart Failure: right ventricle begins to fail, blood pressure increases in the veins, liver begins to enlarge due to edema
Liver is the first organ working backwards from the vena cava
Left Heart Failure: left ventricle fails causing pulmonary edema

8. If fluid backs up in liver and causes edema, many problems arise:
Liver does over 300 important things
Helps to utilize red blood cells and make bile
Bile, when mixed with bilirubin (from the spleen), breaks down fat

9. If bile is not being produced and utilized, bilirubin builds up in your system causing you to look yellow
Jaundice
Jaundice is not a symptom of a liver problem, but a heart problem

10. Treatment?
Lifestyle changes
Medications
Surgery