¶ … Alzheimer's (Dementia) Disease Responsible for Congestive Heart Failure?
Approximately four million Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The disease affects nearly one out of ten Americans over the age of 65 and nearly half of those over 85 (Davis, 1997). Of all Alzheimer's patients, about 28% also have congestive heart failure, leading researchers to pursue studies attempting to correlate Alzheimer's disease directly with congestive heart failure.
About Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is a disorder that causes the gradual loss of brain cells (Davis, 1997). The disease was first described in 1906 by German physician Dr. Alois Alzheimer and was once considered rare. However, today's research shows that it is the leading cause of dementia in older adults.
Alzheimer's disease progresses at various different rates. The duration of the illness could vary from 3 to 20 years. The areas of the brain that control memory and thinking skills are hindered first, but as the disease gets worse, cell die in other regions of the brain. Eventually, most Alzheimer's victims will need complete care. Even if an individual has no other serious illness, the loss of brain function on its own will cause death.
Most Alzheimer's victims die of heart failure, pneumonia or strokes, since the symptoms of the disease and a series of strokes are indistinguishable.
About Congestive Heart Failure
Heart failure does not mean that the heart has suddenly stopped working (AHA). Instead, heart failure means that the heart is not pumping as well as it should to deliver oxygen-rich blood to the body's cells.
Congestive heart failure (CHF) occurs when the heart's weak pumping action causes a buildup of fluid called congestion in the lungs and other body tissues.
CHF usually develops slowly. Many people go for years without symptoms, and the symptoms tend to get worse with time. This slow onset and progression of CHF is caused by the heart's own efforts to deal with its gradual weakening. The heart tries to make up for this weakening by enlarging and by forcing itself to pump faster to move more blood through the body.
There are many potential causes of congestive heart failure (Coats, 1997). The major causes are hypertension...
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