Congestive Heart Failure and Congenital Defects

The purpose of the heart is to pump blood to the body in order to nourish it. Heart failure doesn't mean that the heart has stopped working, but that it just isn't able to pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body.

This may occur when the heart muscle is weak or when the heart valves are leaky. When the heart does not circulate blood normally, the kidneys receive less blood and filter less fluid out of the circulation into the urine. The extra fluid in the circulation builds up in the lungs, the liver, around the eyes, and sometimes in the legs. This is called fluid "congestion" and for this reason doctors call this "congestive heart failure".

Older children with congestive heart failure may be tired and have problems keeping up with their friends on the playground. Infants with congestive heart failure usually have symptoms during feeding including sweating, fast breathing and fatigue. These infants also may have problems gaining weight. Fluid may also build up in the rest of the body, causing swelling of the feet, the legs or around the eyes.

Medicines called diuretics (or water pills), e.g., furosemide (Lasix), help get rid of the extra fluid by increasing urination. To help the body rid itself of the extra fluid, a low-sodium diet may sometimes be necessary. Blood vessel relaxing medications, such as captopril or enalapril, may be used to make it easier for the heart to pump. Another medication, digoxin, may help the heart contract with more force.